PREVALENCIA DE LA DISFUNCIÓN ERÉCTIL Y FACTORES ASOCIADOS EN ESTUDIANTES DE LA UNIVERSIDAD ESTATAL PENÍNSULA DE SANTA ELENA, 2025

Abstract

Background: erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to maintain a firm erection sufficient for satisfactory and pleasurable sexual intercourse. It is among the most common sexual conditions in men and its prevalence increases after age 40. It is associated with factors such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, age, depression, anxiety, and tobacco use. Objective: to determine the prevalence of erectile dysfunction and its associated factors among students at the Santa Elena Peninsula State University in 2025. Methodology: a cross-sectional analytical approach was used. The sample consisted of 350 of the 917 male students enrolled at the Santa Elena Peninsula State University during 2025. Data collection was carried out using the IIEF-5 questionnaire for erectile dysfunction; the BDI and BAI questionnaires for anxiety and depression; and the instrument developed by the researcher based on the participants' background information. Data tabulation was performed using Excel, and the data were exported to IBM SPSS. The results confirmed a prevalence of 35.7%, higher than the 33.8% found in a study conducted in Mexico City with a young adult population aged 18 to 40. A clear correlation was found: students with moderate to severe anxiety and depression were significantly more likely to experience erectile dysfunction, while those with low levels appeared to be more protected against ED. The prevalence found demonstrates that erectile dysfunction is present in more than a third of the young adults evaluated and is not exclusive to older adults.