Introduction: Infertility is a major public health issue in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Mali, where it represents one of the leading causes of marital discord and divorce. Male infertility has been increasingly recognized as a key determinant. This study aimed to provide local epidemiological data on sperm abnormalities among tobacco-consuming infertile men, with the goal of improving couple management and strengthening preventive strategies in our setting.
Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective, descriptive study from January to August 2023 at the Laboratory of Cytogenetics and Reproductive Biology, University Hospital Center Point G, Bamako. All male patients who underwent semen analysis during this period and reported tobacco consumption were included; non-smokers were excluded. Data were recorded using Microsoft Word and Excel, then analyzed with SPSS software. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The prevalence of sperm abnormalities among tobacco users was 25.6%. The mean age of patients was 41 years. The informal sector accounted for the majority of occupations (72%). A smoking duration of ?11 years was observed in 42% of participants, and 62% reported consuming 1–5 packs of cigarettes per year. A history of schistosomiasis was present in 68% of cases. Abnormal semen parameters were detected in 80% of patients, with oligoasthénospermia being the most frequent alteration (50%). The proportion of normal semen analyses decreased with increasing daily tobacco consumption; notably, no patient consuming more than 16 packs per year had a normal semen profile.
Conclusion: Tobacco use exerts a significant deleterious effect on semen quality among infertile men in Bamako. The severity of sperm abnormalities correlates with both the duration and intensity of tobacco exposure. These findings underscore the need to promote complete smoking cessation prior to conception attempts in order to optimize male fertility and improve reproductive outcomes for couples.
International Journal of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology
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