Factors Associated with use of Sexual Enhancers and Erectile Dysfunction Medications among Male Undergraduates Aged 18-35yrs at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya

Download Article

DOI: 10.21522/TIJPH.2013.08.04.Art005

Authors : Kayose Flaviah Kidake, Peter Wanzala, Daniel Nyamongo

Abstract:

Background: Oral erectile dysfunction medications and sexual enhancers have increasingly been used among young men without a medical indication. Recreational use of erectile dysfunction medication (EDMs) and sexual enhancers is associated with risky sexual behaviour and substance use. In recognition of the sexual health challenges facing the youth, this study sought to establish the level of utilization of sexual enhancers and EDMs and factors associated with their use among the male undergraduates at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya.

Methods: A concurrent nested design was used. It adopted a cross-sectional quantitative study design (through self-administered questionnaires) and a concurrent qualitative study (through Focus Group Discussions). Simple random sampling was used to obtain the required study participants for quantitative data (420 respondents) and convenience sampling for the qualitative data (48 respondents).

Results: Among the 420 respondents (aged 21.7 ±2.03years), 82.9% (n=348) had heard about EDMs and/or sexual enhancers but only 10 % (n=42) had used them. There was a significant relationship between EDMs and/or sexual enhancers use and age (P<0.001), religion (P=0.013), number of sexual partners (P=0.027), number of ‘one-night’ stands (P=0.003), and use of condom or knowledge of partner’s status before intercourse (P=0.011).

Conclusion: The prevalence of EDMs and/or sexual enhancers’ use among the students was 10%. Risky sexual behaviour and substance abuse including alcohol consumption was associated with EDMs and/or sexual enhancers’ use. The university social environment influenced sexual risk behaviour. Continuous awareness campaigns aimed at educating undergraduate students about the risks involved in the recreational use of EDMs and/or sexual enhancers should be done.


References:

[1]    Alshahrani, S., Ahmed, A. F., Gabr, A. H., Al Ansari, A., El-feky, M., & Elbadry, M. S. (2016). Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors: Irrational use in Saudi Arabia. Arab journal of urology, 14(2), 94-100.

[2]    Bechara, A., Casabé, A., De Bonis, W., Helien, A., & Bertolino, M. V. (2010). Recreational use of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors by healthy young men. The journal of sexual medicine, 7(11), 3736-3742.

[3]    Cachey, E., Mar-Tang, M., & Mathews, W. (2004). Screening for Potentially Transmitting Sexual Risk Behaviors, Urethral Sexually Transmitted Infection, and Sildenafil use among Males entering Care for HIV infection. AIDS Patient Care and STDs, 18, 349–354.

[4]    Campbell, N., Clark, J. P., Stecher, V. J., Thomas, J. W., Callanan, A. C., Donnelly, B. F., ... & Kaminetsky, J. C. (2013). Adulteration of Purported Herbal and Natural Sexual Performance Enhancement Dietary Supplements with Synthetic Phosphodiesterase type 5 Inhibitors. The journal of sexual medicine, 10(7), 1842-1849.

[5]    Chanakira, E., O’Cathain, A., Goyder, E. C., & Freeman, J. V. (2014). Factors perceived to influence risky sexual behaviours among university students in the United Kingdom: a qualitative telephone interview study. BMC public health, 14(1), 1055.

[6]    Colfax, G., Mansergh, G., Guzman, R., Vittinghoff, E., Marks, G., Rader, M., et al. (2001). Drug use and sexual risk behavior among gay and bisexual men who attend circuit parties: A venue-based comparison. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 28, 373–379.

[7]    Daskalopoulou, M., Rodger, A., Phillips, A. N., Sherr, L., Speakman, A., Collins, S., ... & Wilkins, E. (2014). Recreational drug use, polydrug use, and sexual behaviour in HIV-diagnosed men who have sex with men in the UK: results from the cross-sectional ASTRA study. The Lancet HIV, 1(1), e22-e31.

[8]    Fisher, D. G., Malow, R., Rosenberg, R., Reynolds, G. L., Farrell, N., & Jaffe, A. (2006). Recreational Viagra use and sexual risk among drug abusing men. American Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2(2), 107-114.

[9]    Freitas, V. M. D., Menezes, F. G. D., Antonialli, M. M. S., & Nascimento, J. W. L. (2008). Freqüência de uso de inibidores de fosfodiesterase-5 por estudantes universitários. Revista de Saúde Pública, 42(5), 965-967.

[10]    Goldstein, I., Lue, T. F., Padma-Nathan, H., Rosen, R. C., Steers, W. D., & Wicker, P. A. (1998). Oral sildenafil in the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction. New England Journal of Medicine, 338, 1397–1404.

[11]    Garin, N., Zurita, B., Velasco, C., Feliu, A., Gutierrez, M., Masip, M., & Mangues, M. A. (2017). Prevalence and clinical impact of recreational drug consumption in people living with HIV on treatment: a cross-sectional study. BMJ open, 7(1), 1-10.

[12]    Gebreyohannes, E. A., Bhagavathula, A. S., Gebresillassie, B. M., Tefera, Y. G., Belachew, S. A., & Erku, D. A. (2016). Recreational Use of Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors and Its Associated Factors among Undergraduate Male Students in an Ethiopian University: A Cross-Sectional Study. The World Journal of Men's Health, 34(3), 186-193.

[13]    Gisesa, N., (2013, June 12). “‘Lipido epidemic’ threat as women force men into sex drugs.” Standard Media. Retrieved from https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000088190/libido-epidemic-threat-as-women-force-men-into-sex-drugs

[14]    Goldstein, I., Lue, T. F., Padma-Nathan, H., Rosen, R. C., Steers, W. D., & Wicker, P. A. (1998). Oral sildenafil in the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction. New England Journal of Medicine, 338, 1397–1404.

[15]    Grabovac, I., Meilinger, M., Schalk, H., Leichsenring, B., & Dorner, T. E. (2018). Prevalence and Associations of Illicit Drug and Polydrug Use in People Living with HIV in Vienna. Scientific reports, 8(1), 8046.

[16]    Harte, C. B., & Meston, C. M. (2011). Recreational Use of Erectile Dysfunction Medications in Undergraduate Men in the United States: Characteristics and Associated Risk Factors. Archives of sexual behavior, 40(3), 597-606.

[17]    Harte, C. B., & Meston, C. M. (2012). Recreational Use of Erectile Dysfunction medications and its adverse effects on erectile function in young healthy men: the mediating role of confidence in erectile ability. The journal of sexual medicine, 9(7), 1852-1859.

[18]    Kim, A. A., Kent, C. K., & Klausner, J. D. (2002). Increased Risk of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Disease Transmission among Gay or Bisexual Men who use Viagra, San Francisco 2000–2001. AIDS, 16, 1425–1428.

[19]    Kithuka, B. A. N. (2014). Factors Associated with Condom Use among Students at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (Doctoral dissertation).

[20]    Korkes, F., Costa‐Matos, A., Gasperini, R., Reginato, P. V., & Perez, M. D. (2008). Recreational use of PDE5 inhibitors by young healthy men: Recognizing this issue among medical students. The journal of sexual medicine, 5(10), 2414-2418.

[21]    McCambridge, J., McCambridge, J., Mitcheson, L., Hunt, N., & Winstock, A. (2006). The rise of Viagra among British illicit drug users: 5-year survey data. Drug and alcohol review, 25(2), 111-113.

[22]    Musacchio, N. S., Hartrich, M., & Garofalo, R. (2006). Erectile Dysfunction and Viagra Use: What’s up with college-age males? Journal of Adolescent Health, 39, 452–454.

[23]    Pantalone, D. W., Bimbi, D. S., & Parsons, J. T. (2008). Motivations for the recreational use of erectile enhancing medications in urban gay and bisexual men. Sexually transmitted infections, 84(6), 458-462.

[24]    Pfizer Inc. Viagra Web site. Retrieved from at http://www.viagra.com/content/viagra-sample-pack.jsp?setShowOn=../content/getting-viagra prescription.jsp&setShowHighlightOn=/content/viagra-sample-pack.jsp. Accessed on February 22, 2017.

[25]    Prestage, G., Jin, F., Kippax, S., Zablotska, I., Imrie, J., & Grulich, A. (2009). Use of illicit drugs and erectile dysfunction medications and subsequent HIV infection among gay men in Sydney, Australia. The journal of sexual medicine, 6(8), 2311-2320.

[26]    Prostate.net. (2015, Oct 18). Why Are So many Men Misusing Erectile Dysfunction Drugs? Prostate.net. Retrieved from http://prostate.net/articles/why-are-so-many-men-misusing-erectile-dysfunction-drugs

[27]    Rosen, R. C., & Kostis, J. B. (2003). Overview of Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibition in Erectile Dysfunction. American Journal of Cardiology, 92 (Suppl. 9A), 9M–15M.

[28]    Santtila, P., Sandnabba, N. K., Jern, P., Varjonen, M., Witting, K., & Von Der Pahlen, B. (2007). Recreational use of erectile dysfunction medication may decrease confidence in ability to gain and hold erections in young males. International journal of impotence research, 19(6), 591-596.

[29]    Sherr, L., Bolding, G., Maguire, M., & Elford, J. (2000). Viagra use and sexual risk behavior among gay men in London. AIDS, 14, 2051–2053.

[30]    Smith, K. M., & Romanelli, F. (2005). Recreational use and misuse of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors. Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, 45(1), 63-75.

[31]    Swearingen, S. G., & Klausner, J. D. (2005). Sildenafil Use, Sexual Risk Behavior, and Risk for Sexually Transmitted Diseases, including HIV Infection. American Journal of Medicine, 118, 571–577.