Alcohol Use and Sexual Functioning: A Study of Adult Males in Primary Care

This study examined the prevalence, risk factors, and healthcare implications associated with alcohol use and sexual functioning among adult male primary care patients. The study focused on a sample of over 2,100 men and utilized comprehensive assessments of sexual functioning and alcohol use to assess the associations in a variety of domains. It adopted a Cross-Sectional approach involving sexually active adult males from 18–40 years old in a relationship, who drink alcohol at least twice per week. Study instruments used include the Proforma, IIEF, AUDIT etc. It used the finite population correction factor statistic to determine the right sample size, taking into account the size of the population which resulted in a more accurate estimate of the population parameter of interest. Analysis was carried out with statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) at a 95% confidence interval. From the study results, a considerable number of male participants, approximately 25%, were found to have alcohol use disorders, and 44.2% of them reported experiencing sexual dysfunctions. Furthermore, the research findings suggested that advancing age was associated with an increased risk of problematic alcohol use, whereas lower income was linked to a higher likelihood of sexual dysfunction. Most significantly, the research found a connection between sexual dysfunction and the consumption of alcohol. Individuals who consumed alcohol excessively had notably reduced sexual functioning overall, including impaired erectile and ejaculatory function, as well as a decreased sexual desire. This highlights the need for comprehensive assessment and targeted interventions to improve the health of men in primary care, which should include alcohol use screenings and interventions as well as sexual health care. The implications of this study are that men who consume alcohol are exposed to increased risks of impaired sexual functioning. As such, primary care providers should be aware of the risks and consider the implementation of alcohol use assessments and appropriate interventions to improve their patient’s health outcomes. Additionally, educational programs should be implemented in order to increase awareness of the risks associated with alcohol use and sexual functioning among men in primary care.