title: Prevalence and correlates of premature ejaculation in a primary care setting: a preliminary cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Premature ejaculation (PE) is common. However, it has been underreported and undertreated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of PE and to investigate possible associated factors of PE.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study was conducted at a primary care clinic over a 3-month period in 2008. Men aged 18-70 years attending the clinic were recruited, and they completed self-administered questionnaires that included the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT), International Index of Erectile Function, sociodemography, lifestyle, and medical illness. The operational definition of PE included PE and probable PE based on the PEDT.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prevalence of PE.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 207 men were recruited with a response rate of 93.2%. There were 97 (46.9%) Malay, 57 (27.5%) Chinese, and 53 (25.6%) Indian, and their mean age was 46.0 ± 12.7 years. The prevalence of PE was 40.6% (N = 82) (PE: 20.3%, probable PE: 20.3% using PEDT). A significant association was found between ethnicity and PE (Indian 49.1%, Malay 45.4%, and Chinese 24.6%; χ(2) = 8.564, d.f. = 2, P = 0.014). No significant association was found between age and PE. Multivariate analysis showed that erectile dysfunction (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 4.907, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.271, 10.604), circumcision (adjusted OR 4.881, 95% CI 2.346, 10.153), sexual intercourse ≤5 times in 4 weeks (adjusted OR 3.733, 95% CI 1.847, 7.544), and Indian ethnicity (adjusted OR 3.323, 95% CI 1.489, 7.417) were predictors of PE.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PE might be frequent in men attending primary care clinics. We found that erectile dysfunction, circumcision, Indian ethnicity, and frequency of sexual intercourse of ≤5 times per month were associated with PE. These associations need further confirmation.
authors.affiliation: Bayan Baru Health Clinic, Bayan Baru, Penang, Malaysia Department of Primary Care Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. tangweishuong1@yahoo.com.sg
authors.forename: Wei Shuong
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Ee Ming
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Khoo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004542:Ejaculation; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult