Speaker
Description
Introduction
Aphrodisiac use, encompassing herbal remedies and pharmaceuticals, is driven globally by cultural expectations and sexual dysfunction prevalence. In sub-Saharan Africa, herbal practices prevail, shaped by masculine norms and accessibility. In Ghana, 66.4% of youth use aphrodisiacs, propelled by peer pressure, marketing, and performance expectations. Qualitative research on lived experiences among KNUST students is scarce, neglecting nuanced typologies and psychosocial consequences.
Methods
This descriptive phenomenological study, guided by Colaizzi’s (1978) method and grounded in Social Cognitive Theory and Emerging Adulthood Theory, investigated aphrodisiac use among KNUST undergraduates. Data were gathered from 45 purposively selected participants via seven focus group discussions and eight in-depth interviews, ensuring diversity in gender, year, college, and socioeconomic status. Transcripts were analysed using Colaizzi’s seven-step process, achieving 85% intercoder agreement through manual and NVivo coding, with trustworthiness ensured via triangulation, member checking, and reflexivity.
Results
Three emergent themes were identified: (1) Typologies, including herbal remedies (e.g., “Gagyengyen”), pharmaceutical agents (e.g., Viagra), illicit combinations (e.g., Tom-Tom with energy drinks), and instant versus sustained effects; (2) Motivations, comprising performance enhancement, peer/partner pressures, and masculinity expectations; and (3) Unintended consequences, encompassing health risks ( overdose fatalities), psychological dependency, social stigma, and academic distractions.
Conclusion and Recommendations
This study highlights cultural and social drivers of aphrodisiac risks. KNUST should adopt stigma-free sexual health programs, like UNESCO’s Comprehensive Sexuality Education, to foster informed choices. Future research should quantify prevalence and examine gender dynamics. The qualitative design limits generalizability, warranting quantitative validation.
Keywords: Aphrodisiac use; Ghanaian university students; Typologies; Motivations; Unintended consequences
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