Abstract:
Oral erectile dysfunction medications and sexual enhancers have increasingly been
used among young men without a medical indication. Recreational use of EDMs and
sexual enhancers is associated with risky sexual behavior and substance use. In
recognition of the sexual health challenges facing the youth, this study sought to
establish the level of utilization of sexual enhancers and EDMs and factors
associated with their use among the youth in JKUAT. Mixed methods were used. It
adopted a cross-sectional quantitative study design (through self-administered
questionnaires) and a concurrent qualitative study (through Focus Group
Discussions). Simple random sampling was used to obtain the required sample size
for quantitative data (420 male undergraduate students) and convenience sampling
was used to obtain the sample for qualitative data (48 male undergraduate students).
SPSS was used to analyze quantitative data while Nvivo software was used to
analyze qualitative data. The findings of this study revealed that among the 420
respondents, 10 % (n=42) had used EDMs and/or sexual enhancers. There was a
significant relationship between EDM and/or sexual enhancers use and age
(P<0.001), religion (P=0.013), number of sexual partners (P=0.027), number of ‘one night’ stands (P=0.003), and use of condom or knowledge of partner’s status before
intercourse (P=0.011). However, there was no significant relationship between
EDMs and/or sexual enhancers' use and most of the socio-demographic factors. Most
of the EDMs and/or sexual enhancers users are involved in risky sexual behavior and
substance abuse including alcohol consumption. The university social environment
influenced sexual risk behaviors. Continuous awareness campaigns aimed at
educating undergraduate students about the risks involved in the recreational use of
EDMs and/or sexual enhancers should be done.
