A new study has found that about one in every three men seeking fertility treatment in Eastern and Central Uganda has at least one abnormal sperm result, which highlights the need to pay more attention to men’s reproductive health.
The study published in Springer Nature conducted among 155 men attending fertility services at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, Kayunga Regional Referral Hospital and Healingway Diagnostic and Fertility Centre, found that 33.5 percent had at least one abnormal semen parameter.
Researchers say the findings show that infertility should not be viewed as only a women’s issue, as men play a significant role in a couple’s ability to conceive.
“Male factors contribute to approximately 40%–50% of infertility cases, either alone or together with female factors,” the researchers noted.
The study found that the most common sperm problems were poor sperm shape, known as teratozoospermia, and poor sperm movement, known as asthenozoospermia. Other abnormalities included low semen volume, low sperm count and the complete absence of sperm in semen.
Researchers also identified several health and workplace factors linked to abnormal sperm results. Men with high blood pressure, diabetes, a history of mumps infection, those taking medication and those exposed to workplace hazards such as heat, chemicals, pesticides and dust were more likely to have abnormal semen results.
“Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, medication use, history of mumps infection, and occupational hazard exposure were associated with abnormal semen parameters,” the study states.
The researchers say these findings should encourage health workers to carry out a full assessment of men who seek fertility care instead of focusing only on their partners.
“Assessment of medical conditions, previous infections, medication use, and occupational exposures may therefore be useful when evaluating men presenting with infertility,” the authors wrote.
The researchers concluded that routine semen testing should become an important part of fertility care in Uganda.
“These findings support routine semen analysis and careful assessment of medical history and occupational exposures during male infertility evaluation in similar settings,” they concluded.
The authors, however, noted that the study was conducted among men attending fertility clinics and was based on a single semen sample from each participant. They say further studies involving larger populations to better understand male infertility across Uganda is necessary.
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