(125) Factors Associated with Erectile Dysfunction in Copper and Cobalt Miners: A Cross-sectional Study in the Katanga Province, DR Congo

Abstract Introduction The African Copperbelt is a site of intense artisanal and industrial mining refining copper cobalt. Based on preliminary case-control study erectile dysfunction among mineworkers in the former Katanga province Democratic Republic Congo (Musa et al. Occupational Environmental Medicine 2020), Objective We further investigated possible factors associated with cobalt miners province. Methods In cross-sectional 138 140 controls (bakers), we administered questionnaires face-to-face French or Swahili to obtain socio-demographic occupational data, assess male sexual function [International Index Erectile Function (IIEF-15)] marital relation quality [Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS)]. measured trace metals blood urine testosterone thyroid hormones serum. Results Miners bakers had similar median (IQR) age [35.6 y (30.6–40.0)]. significantly lower scores than for IIEF-15 [66 (49–73) vs 73 (66–74)] three DAS domains (Consensus; Satisfaction; Cohesion). free (8.1 ng/dL) thyroxin (13.45 pmol/L) (9.3 14.75, respectively). Factors IIEF- EF ≤ 22 were: mining-related job (aOR 2.09, 95% CI 1.14–3.81; p=0.016), work seniority 1.07, 1.02–1.13; p=0.005) regular use aphrodisiacs 2.80, 1.56–5.02; p=0.001). Mediation analysis showed that consensus mediated by 50% between function. Conclusions Compared controls, poorer relation, thyroxin. This may be due their high exposure (especially Pb). found increased couples possibly longer time spent working away from home. Disclosure No