Reproductive behavior and erectile dysfunction in the undergraduate university students: cross-sectional study

Comportamiento reproductivo y disfunción eréctil en estudiantes universitarios de pregrado: estudio transversal

Background: Very little is known about erectile function (EF) and its associated predictors in the university students. The aim was to quantify the prevalence and some associated predictors of EF in a large sample of the university students from the largest National University in Kazakhstan. Methods: At Kazakh National University, 1556 male students aged 16 to 23 years filled in anonymous self-administered web-based questionnaire on their sexual and reproductive behavior, including the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) in 2023. We report age-specific prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED), defined as IIEF-5 below 22 and the association of IIEF-5 score with selected predictors in adjusted regression models. Results: At least one sexual intercourse was reported by 1306 (84%) students with the first coitus at the median age 17 (interquartile range (IQR) 17; 19) years; and 10% students reported only one ever intercourse. The median number of partners in the preceding 12 months was 1 (IQR 1; 2), but 27% reported they planned to have a child in the next 2 years (100% of 16–17-year-old and 0% of 19–20-year-old students). IIEF-5 score ranged from 21 to 25 (median 25, IQR 21; 25), and was negatively associated with age, independent of ethnicity, place of residence, number of partners and other predictors. No ED was reported by 63% (N = 827), whereas mild ED prevalence was 37% (N = 479) among students who had at least one intercourse. Conclusions: The overall prevalence of ED was very low and associated with age. Preventive interventions in place are likely efficient, but future research should focus on previously unmeasured sexual behavior attributes.

Resumen

Antecedentes: Se sabe muy poco sobre la función eréctil (FE) y sus predictores asociados en los estudiantes universitarios. El objetivo fue cuantificar la prevalencia y algunos predictores asociados de FE en una gran muestra de estudiantes universitarios de la Universidad Nacional más grande de Kazajstán. Métodos: En la Universidad Nacional de Kazajstán, 1556 estudiantes varones de entre 16 y 23 años completaron un cuestionario anónimo autoadministrado en la web sobre su comportamiento sexual y reproductivo, incluido el Índice Internacional de Función Eréctil (IIEF-5) en 2023. Informamos la prevalencia específica por edad de disfunción eréctil (DE), definida como IIEF-5 por debajo de 22 y la asociación de la puntuación IIEF-5 con predictores seleccionados en modelos de regresión ajustados. Resultados: Al menos una relación sexual fue reportada por 1306 (84%) estudiantes con el primer coito a la mediana de edad de 17 años (rango intercuartil (IQR) 17; 19) años; y el 10% de los estudiantes informaron solo una relación sexual. La mediana del número de parejas en los 12 meses anteriores fue de 1 (IQR 1; 2), pero el 27% informó que planeaba tener un hijo en los próximos 2 años (100% de estudiantes de 16 a 17 años y 0% de estudiantes de 19 a 20 años). La puntuación del IIEF-5 varió de 21 a 25 (mediana 25, IQR 21; 25) y se asoció negativamente con la edad, independientemente de la etnia, el lugar de residencia, el número de parejas y otros predictores. El 63% (N = 827) no reportó disfunción eréctil, mientras que la prevalencia de disfunción eréctil leve fue del 37% (N = 479) entre los estudiantes que tuvieron al menos una relación sexual. Conclusiones: La prevalencia general de disfunción eréctil fue muy baja y se asoció con la edad. Las intervenciones preventivas implementadas probablemente sean eficientes, pero las investigaciones futuras deberían centrarse en atributos de comportamiento sexual previamente no medidos.

Intercourse; IIEF-5; Regression; Young adults

Palabras Clave

Relaciones sexuales; IIEF-5; Regresión; Adultos jóvenes

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