Table 4 Treatment pathways: types of providers consulted, and the order in which they were consulted, by the study participants for their leading SRH concerns

(n = 29 men)

(n = 12 men)

(n = 6 men)

Shortened duration of sexual intercourse (premature ejaculation/ejaculation before coitus)

51 men reported, of whom 29 consulted providers, of whom 12 also consulted a second provider and 6 a third provider

MBBS Doctor (9)

Drug store salespeople (5)

Kabiraj/Hakim (4)

Village doctor (3)

Homeopath (3)

Street Healer (3)

Faith Healer (2)

MBBS Doctor (5) Homeopath (2)

Govt. Hospital (2)

Street Healer (2)

Village Doctor (1)

Drug store salespeople (2), Kabiraj/Hakim (2)

Village Doctor (1) Street Healer (1)

(n = 23 men)

(n = 10 men)

(n = 5 men)

Loss of semen before or after urination

36 men reported, of whom 23 sought treatment, of whom 10 consulted a second provider and 5 a third provider

Homeopath (5)

kabiraj/hakim (5)

Drug store salespeople (4)

MBBS doctor (4)

Others (5)

MBBS doctors (3)

Homeopath (1)

Kabiraj (1)

Hujur (1)

Others (4)

Village doctor (2)

MBBS doctor (1)

Others (2)

(n = 22 men)

(n = 8 men)

(n = 3 men)

Burning or pain when urinating

35 men reported, of whom 22 sought treatment, of whom 8 visited a second provider and 3 a third provider

Drug store salespeople (5)

Govt. Hospital (4)

MBBS Doctor (3)

Kabiraj/Hakim (2)

Homeopath (2)

Others (6)

MBBS Doctor (3)

Drug store salespeople (2)

Street Healer (1)

Others (2)

MBBS Doctor (1)

Homeopath (1) Homeopath (1)

(n = 13 men)

(n = 2 men)

(n = 1 men)

Itching or burning in the genital area

19 men reported, of whom 13 sought treatment, of whom 2 visited a second and 1 visited a third provider

MBBS Doctor (6)

Drug store salespeople(3)

Street Healer (1)

Kabiraj/hakim (1)

Others (2)

MBBS doctor (1)

Drug store salespeople (1)

Kabiraj/Hakim (1)

(n = 3 men)

(n = 2 men)

(n = 2 men)

Worries about penis size

8 men reported, of whom 3 received treatment, of whom 2 visited a second and third provider

Kabiraj/Hakim (1)

Drug store salespeople (1)

Street Healer (1)

Govt. Health Center (1)

Private Clinic (1)

Drug store salespeople (1)

Govt. Health Center (1)