MAJOR AETIOLOGIES OF MALE INFERTILITY AMONG COUPLES ATTENDING FERTILITY CLINICS IN OSUN STATE, NIGERIA: FINDINGS FROM A MIXED METHOD STUDY

Abstract Male infertility accounts for nearly half of the infertility cases globally. Seminal fluid analysis (SFA) is a critical diagnostic tool in the evaluation of male infertility. This study aimed to assess the implications of seminal fluid analysis on male infertility among patients attending fertility clinics in Osogbo, Nigeria. The study employed mixed-method approach of both qualitative (Key informant interview) among 10 participants and quantitative method (cross-sectional survey) using pre-tested structured questionnaire among 305 respondents. The respondents in the cross-sectional survey were also made to undergo seminal fluid analysis. The data from the qualitative study was analysed using Atlas ti while data from the quantitative study were analysed using IBM Statistical Product for Service Solution (SPSS) version 27. 0. Descriptive statistics was carried out for all variables. The univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis were done using p32 million per ejaculation) while 64 (21.0%) had abnormal sperm count. Only 101 (33.1%) had normal progressive motility (>32 percent) while 204 (66.9%) had abnormal (Athenospermia) progressive motility. 195 (63.9%) were found to have abnormal morphology (Teratospermia i.e., <4%). The qualitative analysis further analysed the implications of SFA parameters on infertile males and these were substantial, extending beyond physical health to encompass psychological, emotional, and social well-being. The study concluded that lifestyle modifications and early diagnosis as well as prompt treatment of medical conditions can curb high prevalence abnormality of SFA, hence reduce male infertility in our environment. The study recommends that advocacy program, early screening and public health education will further reduce the burden of infertility among the female folks. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. Funding Statement This study did not receive any funding Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: Ethical approvals the Ethics and Research Committee of OSUN STATE UNIVERSITY Teaching Hospital gave ethical approval for this work. I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Yes Footnotes charlespatho{at}gmail.com oluwafemieniola.ed{at}gmail.com adeniyi.fasanu{at}uniosun.edu.ng drakindele{at}yahoo.com adegboyega.afolabi{at}uniosun.edu.ng Lanreolive{at}gmail.com funso.olagunju{at}uniosun.edu.ng olufemi.oyerinde{at}adelekeuniversity.edu.ng Data Availability All data produced in the present study are available upon reasonable request to the authors