Abstract:

Background: Male infertility is among uprising global health threats affecting about 186 million people globally and studies show that 20-70% of total infertility is contributed by male factors. Africa is reported to have highest prevalence of infertility in which men were involved in up to 43% of total infertility rates in the world. In a study done in KCMC, Moshi, Tanzania the about 8.8% of infertility was found to be due to male factors only as compared to that due to female factors (65.9%). Most members of the society consider male infertility as primarily a female’s condition and is mostly caused by curse from ancestors.

Aim of this study: To ascertain knowledge, attitude and perception towards determinants of male infertility among males of reproductive age attending clinics at BMC.

Methodology: A cross – sectional hospital-based study was conducted at BMC clinics among men above 20 years of age. The candidates were randomly selected among those who attended clinics on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from May to August 2023. Data was collected using questionnaires. The statistical analysis of the data was performed through the Statistical Program SPSS version 20.0.

Estimated budget: This study was estimated to cost TZS 113,200/= which would be covered by the researcher.

Results: Among the 289 participants that were involved in the study, majority were in the age category of 30-39 years (N=114; 39.4%), Christians (N=222:76.8%), 208(72.0%) participants were married, majority were businessmen (N=139;48.1%). About the level of knowledge in male infertility, out of 289 participants, 279(96.5%) knew about male infertility, where most of them heard from the streets (N=203; 70.2%). Majority knew that biological cause of male infertility was due to infections (N=229;79.2%), behavioral cause majority said was due to smoking (N=201; 69.6%) and environmental cause was due to radiation exposure (N=233; 80.6%). On the part of attitude majority said male infertility was the medical disorder (N=147; 50.9%), elders were at higher risk of male infertility (N=88; 30.4%) the least were miners (N=6; 2.1%) and most of them stated that male should not be ashamed of their condition (N=228; 78.9%). Majority perceived that no one should be blamed in case a couple cannot have kids (N=166; 57.4%), others stated that male infertility could be treated (N=205; 70.9%) and most of them believed that male infertility was associated with alcohol and substance use (N=120; 41.5%). On the methods of treatment when asked, majority stated that medical intervention was the best (N=119; 41.2%).

Conclusion: From this study that was conducted among participants, majority stated that they had heard about male infertility from the streets, which is in fact an unreliable source to get the full knowledge on male infertility, thus can be ineffective for people in the near future, hence there was moderate knowledge. On the attitude on male infertility, majority had positive attitude towards male infertility. On perception, participants had good perception since they knew no one was to blame for such condition and also, they knew the way forward towards managing it.