The present study explored the views of Mexican men concerning vasectomy. One hundred and five men who had not had a vasectomy were asked to complete the following phrase "If you no longer wanted to have more children and a vasectomy was suggested, you would react with . . . or you would think . . . " with at least five different answers. Participants then had to rank each of their answers according to how well they describe the participant's feelings in the hypothetical situation. The results were analyzed using the Natural Semantic Networks Technique. The most common words used by participants with a limited educational background were reject, followed by fear and anger, and they did not use any words that implied acceptance of vasectomy. In contrast, the most common words used by participants with higher education were curiosity, followed by acceptance and interest; however, they also used the words fear and insecurity. The most frequent attitudes reported by men with limited education were negative, whereas participants with a higher education reported more ambivalent attitudes. These findings are discussed in light of sociocultural features and could be helpful in designing reproductive health programs with more effective counseling to diminish negative views about vasectomy.

Vasectomy is a contraceptive method safer, less invasive, and easier to practice than bilateral tubal ligation. However, it is less commonly used especially in developing countries like Mexico. In the present study, we sought to determine whether some demographic and gender ideology variables are related to beliefs and attitudes toward vasectomy. Three hundred eighty-nine Mexican adults were surveyed; neither male participants nor the partners of female participants had had a vasectomy. We examined participants' beliefs and attitudes toward vasectomy, gender role ideology in marriage, and ambivalent sexism. Pearson's correlations, multivariate analyses of covariance, and linear regressions were used to analyze the data. Men and participants with limited education showed the most negative attitudes toward vasectomy. The belief that vasectomy decreases virility was most common in those who agreed with female subordination in marriage. Women, participants with higher education, those who did not agree with male infidelity in marriage, and participants who endorsed benevolent sexism were those most likely to acknowledge the benefits of vasectomy. Men and participants who agreed with female subordination in marriage were those most likely to express fear of the surgical procedure. Unfavorable ideas toward vasectomy were increased in participants with lower education and in those who agreed with female subordination in marriage. Health practitioners and researchers should take into account psychosociocultural factors concerning vasectomy in order to better understand its acceptance or rejection, and to provide accurate and current contraceptive counseling that encourages the choice of this method.

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