Knowledge and attitude of married men towards vasectomy in an urban slum of Navi Mumbai

Abstract

Background: India’s total fertility rate has been 2.2 in 2016, which is not far from replacement levels of 2.1. Tubectomy has been able to achieve this to a good extent, however vasectomy which is a far safer and effective method, isn’t still popular amongst men due to gender bias in our country. This study intends to understand the reasons for gap in the demand for vasectomy. The objective was to assess knowledge and attitude of married men towards vasectomy. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out amongst 121 married men selected by simple random sampling, in the age group of 21 to 50 years and who hadn’t undergone vasectomy. A pretested structured questionnaire was used to assess knowledge. Respondents’ attitude was measured on 4 point Likert’s scale. Data was analysed using SPSS software version 21. Results: 70.2% men were aware of vasectomy. Main sources of information were mass media (42.35%), family and friends (29.41%) and doctors (24.7%). 47.1% of respondents felt that men should not undergo vasectomy. The main reasons given for disapproval were “women are best suited for sterilization procedure” (68.42%), “Vasectomy can make men impotent”(14.03%), “Leads to general weakness and blood loss” (13.03%), “Can’t do heavy work” (11.5%) and “Fear of surgery”(5.7%). Only 16.5% men agreed that vasectomy is better than tubectomy. Conclusions: In our country there is a clear gender bias towards tubectomy as men are reluctant to undergo vasectomy. Thus there is an urgent need to intensify the behavioural change communication approach which will enable to improve knowledge and change men’s attitude towards vasectomy.

Study on knowledge and practice regarding no scalpel vasectomy (NSV) among male members of eligible couples in a rural community of West Bengal, India

“…12 This is also lower than figures reported by studies in urban slums of Maharashtra. 13,14 In the present study, around 61% of the participants have heard of the male contraceptives from media (television, radio, newspaper) and 12.9% through posters and pamphlets in hospitals. This finding is in line with the role of mass media in spreading awareness and is also comparable with those reported by other studies.…”

“…This is quite lower than 69.4% reported by a study in urban slums of Mumbai. 13 This finding is agreeable with the fact that males, who have always taken the upper hand in gender relations, end up thrusting the responsibility of family planning on women solely.…”

“…This is similar to 24.7% reported in another study. 13 Relatives and friends were not an active source of information in our study participants. Thus, we can conclude that mouth to mouth publicity of sterilization methods is not very effecting in our study setting.…”

“…This finding is in line with the role of mass media in spreading awareness and is also comparable with those reported by other studies. 13,15 However, only 13.6% have heard from ANM in family planning clinics and 7.6% from doctors. This is similar to 24.7% reported in another study.…”

“…This is also less than 70.2% as reported by another study in urban setting in Navi Mumbai in 2016-17. 13 Only 15.7% knew that hospitalization is not necessary to undergo NSV. Also 53.8% were aware that incentive is given by the Government if someone undergoes NSV.…”