Men’s sexual desire, and why women often don’t recognize it? Prevalence of erectile dysfunction and associated factors among diabetes mellitus patients attending Mettu Karl Comprehensive Specialized Hospital: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to assess the magnitude and predictors of erectile dysfunction at Mettu Karl Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. METHODS: Male diabetic patients visiting chronic care follow-up at Mettu Karl Comprehensive Specialized Hospital were face-to-face interviewed as part of a retrospective cross-sectional study from April 6, 2022 to May 6, 2022. SPSS version 21 for Windows was used to enter and analyze the data for the descriptive statistics. Following that, a binary logistic regression and a multivariate logistic regression model were used. Based on a p-value of 0.05, variables that had an independent link with sexual dysfunction were found. The adjusted odds ratio and its associated 95% confidence interval were also used to analyze the direction and intensity of the link. RESULTS: A total of 307 diabetic men participated in the study, with a mean age of (52.74, 16.16) and a mean duration of (5.94, 2.974). In this study, 252 people (82.1%) experienced erectile dysfunction, with mild, moderate, and severe cases represented by 30%, 38%, and 14.1% of respondents, respectively. There were statistically significant associations between erectile dysfunction and age (adjusted odds ratio: 4.8, 95% confidence interval: 1.27–18.32), type of diabetes (adjusted odds ratio: 5.8, 95% confidence interval: 1.96–17.73), and comorbidities (adjusted odds ratio: 0.32, 95% confidence interval: 0.15–0.71). CONCLUSION: This study showed that the prevalence rate of erectile dysfunction is high in Mettu Karl Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Age, type of diabetes mellitus, and the presence of comorbidity were factors associated with erectile dysfunction. Therefore, assessment and management of erectile dysfunction in the diabetic clinic should be part of routine medical care during follow-up visits with diabetic patients.