# Patterns of Male Infertility at the Port Sudan Maternity Hospital

## TL;DR

This study examines the patterns and causes of male infertility at a hospital in Port Sudan, finding that abnormal sperm count and motility are the most common issues.

## Contribution

The study provides a detailed analysis of male infertility patterns and risk factors specific to the Port Sudan region.

## Key findings

- Male infertility rate was 2.9% with primary infertility in 52.6% of cases.
- Abnormal sperm count and motility were the most common patterns of infertility.
- Common risk factors included diabetes, infections, chemical exposure, smoking, and alcohol use.

## Abstract

Background: Male factor infertility is a condition with psychological, economic, social, family, and medical implications.

Objective: To determine the pattern of male infertility at the Port Sudan Maternity Hospital.

Methods: This was an observational descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based study. The study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Port Sudan Maternity Hospital during the period August 2021 to March 2022 and included all male partners of infertile couples referred for infertility evaluation. Male factor infertility was identified based on standard semen analysis results. The study sample was 114 males who fulfilled the inclusion criteria of the study. Data was collected using a questionnaire that was filled out by patients after taking informed consent from them.

Results: The rate of male infertility was 2.9%. The type of infertility was primary in 60 (52.6%) of the patients and secondary in 54 (47.4%). The patterns of male infertility were abnormal motility and sperm count in 28 (24.6%), abnormal sperm count in 26 (22.8%), abnormal sperm morphology in 20 (17.5%), abnormal sperm motility and morphology in 21 (18.4%), and abnormal sperm motility in 19 (16.7%). The common causes and risk factors of male infertility in this study were sexual problems such as impotence (17, 14.9%), diabetes mellitus (22, 19.3%), positive past history of infections including urinary tract infection (14, 12.3%) and syphilis (2, 1.7%), diabetes medications (20, 17.5%), and exposure to chemicals or physical agents (28, 24.6%). Lifestyle risk factors were smoking (31, 27.2%), alcohol use (10, 8.8%), and substance abuse (2, 1.8%).

Conclusion: The study concluded that the male infertility rate in the study area was within the rate reported by previous regional and international studies. The common patterns of male infertility were abnormal count (oligospermia) and abnormal motility (asthenozoospermia).