Clinical and Paraclinical Profile of Male Infertility in Two Hospitals in Low - Income Setting, Cameroon

Abstract

Background: Male infertility has diverse aetiologies and contribute to more than 50% of infertility, but workup required for the diagnosis are not always available in low-income settings. Methods: We aimed to describe clinical and paraclinical profile of male infertility in low-and middle-income setting. This was a retrospective cross-sectional study in two urology referral hospitals, including consenting male partners of infertile couples. Sociodemographic, clinical and paraclinical (including semen analysis, ultrasound results and hormonal level) data were collected from patient's records and interview. Qualitative and quantitative variables were described with corresponding statistics. Results: Overall 137 participants were included in this study with a mean age of 35.4±7.3 years. Erectile dysfunction (35%), and testicular pain (27.7%) were the most common symptoms. The most frequent abnormalities were asthenospermia, oligospermia, azoospermia and necrospermia found in 69.3%, 59.9%, 21.2% and 19.7% of subjects respectively. Normal value of testosterone, luteinizing hormone, Follicle Stimulating Hormone and prolactin values were found in more than half of participants on ultrasound analysis, varicocele was present in 58.9% of subjects and testicular hypotrophy in 45.8%. Conclusion: Seminal and ultrasound abnormalities are common in male with infertility in our context. Sexual Transmitting Infection and varicocele seems to be predominant aetiologies. Further research should be carried out to investigate on the different aetiologies of fertility in men for better management.