MISUSE OF PENILE PERFORMANCE ENHANCERS: AWARENESS GAPS AND RISK OF PRIAPISM—A PILOT STUDY

ABSTRACT The use of penile performance enhancers has become increasingly common, particularly among young individuals, yet concerns remain about how well users understand the associated risks. This pilot study explored patterns of use, awareness gaps, and perceptions related to priapism among residents of Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a structured, pretested questionnaire administered to 121 respondents, most of whom were young, single, and tertiary-educated. While awareness of penile performance enhancers was high (82.6%), knowledge of priapism was notably lower (50.8%). Although a majority recognised that misuse could lead to complications, uncertainty persisted, especially regarding the safety of herbal products. Many respondents perceived unsupervised use as risky, yet also believed that individuals rarely seek medical advice before use. Formal education on the risks of misuse was limited, but the need for more information was widely expressed. Importantly, respondents anticipated both medical and traditional responses to complications, suggesting a pattern of pluralistic help-seeking that may delay access to appropriate care. Prior exposure to health education was associated with better awareness of risks. These findings suggest a disconnect between awareness and understanding, underscoring the need for targeted, contextsensitive health education to promote safer practices and timely care-seeking behaviour.