Study on Semen Quality among Men Seeking Infertility Treatment in Tamale, Ghana

Background: Standard semen analysis is the surrogate measure of male fertility in clinical practice. According to recent studies, there is a slight increase in percentage of couples who are facing infertility problems globally. This study determined the semen quality trends of men seeking infertility treatment in the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana. Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study with data from archival records over a period of six years; from January 2015 to December 2020. Results: A total ჿf 785 semen analysis reports ჿf men seeking infertility treatment over a period ჿf 6 years were considered. In all, 187 (23.82%) had normozoospermia, 347 (44.20%) had oligozoospermia, and 251 (31.97%) had azoospermia. Out of the 785 subjects, 344 (57.91%) had abnormal semen parameters even though their semen volume was normal. Percentage abnormal motility, morphology and viability rose sturdily from 5.74%, 8.14%, and 12.59 in 2015 through 20.87%, 18.77%, 19.85% in 2017 to 26.85%, 27.95 and 21.55 respectively in 2020. Abnormal pH and volume also rose from 8% and 8.59 in 2015 to 23.69 and 24.91 respectively in 2020. The highest variances were seen in the age group 31-40 years (p