Risk Factors Associated with Abnormal Semen Parameters: Case-Control Study at a Tertiary Hospital in Eastern Nepal

Background: Infertility is a global problem. Male factors are estimated to be the cause of up to 50% of infertility cases. A variety of identifiable and reversible etiological factors are involved in male factor infertility. This study aimed to compare the risk factors in men who have abnormal semen parameters with those with normal parameters. Methodology: This was a case-control study. The male partners of the infertile couples presenting for infertility evaluation were advised for semen analysis and based on the report they were divided into control (normal parameters) and case (abnormal parameters) groups. A detailed interview of each subject was conducted focusing on risk factors causing different semen parameter abnormalities and the risk factors in both groups were compared. Results: There were 50 subjects in each group. The mean age was 31.02 ± 5.183 years and the mean BMI was 24.824 ± 2.438 kg/m2. The mean duration of infertility for those in the case group was significantly higher (p-value 0.006). Mean sperm concentration and sperm motility were 33.492 ± 30.306 million/ml and 38.1% ± 18.893 respectively. 40 subjects had oligozoospermia and 36 had asthenozoospermia. Age (OR1.464), the habit of cigarette smoking (OR 37.946), and the presence of past medical conditions (0R 534.82) were significantly associated with abnormal semen parameters. Service-holder men were significantly less likely to develop semen abnormalities (OR 0.087). Conclusion: Age, cigarette smoking, and presence of past medical history are associated with abnormal semen parameters thus contributing to male factor infertility. Key words: male infertility, risk factors, oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia.