Factors Associated With Aphrodisiac Use Among Men In Agbogbloshie In Greater Accra Region

ABSTRACT Background: Sexual health is an important component of life hence, a decline in the sexual function causes the affected individual to search for solutions including patronizing sex enhancing products. Although these products are known to have negative side effects, its patronage is still on the increase. Objective: This study seeks to investigate the factors that influence the use of aphrodisiac products among men in Agbogbloshie. Methods: A descriptive cross- sectional study employing quantitative techniques was used to collect data on 383 men between the ages of 18 to 59 years who have been sexually active within the past 12 months. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the data. Simple binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between aphrodisiac use and respondent characteristics. Results: Of the 383 men, 42% reported ever using aphrodisiacs at some points in their lives. More than three- fourths (82%) of the users were below 40 years. Individuals above 40 years were less likely (AOR= 0.01) to use aphrodisiacs compared to those below 40 years. The absence of chronic illness such as hypertension was seen to be a protective factor, in that, those who had no chronic illness had a reduced odds (AOR= 0.12; 95% CI (0.03, 0.47) of using aphrodisiac products. The study found that those who occasionally heard aphrodisiac advertisements were less likely (AOR= 0.32; 95% CI (0.13, 0.77) to use aphrodisiacs compared to those who heard about it daily. About 61% of the aphrodisiac users had no sexual problems indicating recreational use. Conclusion: This study found relatively low prevalence of aphrodisiac use among men in the urban slum of Agbogbloshie. The factors that were seen to be associated with aphrodisiac use in this population were age, absence of chronic illness, the frequency of aphrodisiac advertisements and multiple sexual partners.