Motorcycling as a Risk Factor for Erectile Dysfunction: Implications for Appropriate Intervention and Prevention Strategies.

Abstract

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a major family health problem. This study aimed to investigate the role of motorcycling, a popular means of transportation in Nigeria as a risk factor for erectile dysfunction.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study designed to assess the presence of erectile dysfunction among registered motorcyclists in Uyo, South-South, Nigeria. Data was collected using the abridged version of the international index of erectile function (IIEF-5). Ethical considerations were resolved with the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital Health Research & Ethical Committee. The seventeenth version of the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS 17.0) was used for statistical analysis.

Results: Nine hundred and eighty-eight (84%) registered motorcyclists agreed to participate in the study. The mean age of respondents was 31.10 years. The overall prevalence of ED among the respondents was 57.5%; made up of mild (18.5%), mild to moderate (14.8%), moderate (13.1%) and severe (11.1%). In this study, the use of alcohol was not significant among respondents with erectile dysfunction (p=0.30). Smoking of cigarette was prevalent among them (p=0.001), and the number of hours spent per day in operating the motorcycle was significant for erectile dysfunction (p=0.001).

Conclusion: It is concluded that motorcyclists, physicians and policy makers need to know the inherent danger in motorcycle operation with respect to erectile dysfunction, with a view to working out appropriate intervention and prevention strategies.

Keywords: Erectile Dysfunction, Motorcycling, Family Physician.