Men’s Vasectomy Knowledge, Attitudes, and Information-Seeking Behaviors in the Southern United States: Results From an Exploratory Survey

Abstract

Vasectomy is one of the few options men have to manage their reproductive capacity and take on a more equitable role in pregnancy prevention. While the method is underused throughout the United States, the southern states have a lower prevalence rate compared to the rest of the country. Existing survey research does not assess what men know or think about the procedure as a means of understanding why this is the case. We created and conducted an exploratory survey to assess men’s knowledge, attitudes, and information-seeking behaviors about vasectomy in the Southern United States. We used targeted Facebook advertising to recruit men ages 25–70 years living in 7 southern states to complete an online survey ( n = 397). Using regression analyses, we identify that participants who had a vasectomy knew more about the procedure than participants who had not. Participants who had not had a vasectomy had less positive attitudes about the procedure across all six attitude subscales compared to participants with vasectomies. We highlight potential avenues for future research to understand why this may be the case. Finally, the majority of participants knew someone who had had a vasectomy. This suggests that men disclose having a vasectomy to others. The interpersonal dynamics around vasectomy decision-making and disclosure remain unknown and a viable area for future research. Findings from this exploratory survey may be used by public health officials interested in implementing campaigns to increase knowledge about vasectomy and reduce stigma, which may encourage more positive attitudes about the procedure.

Vasectomy Knowledge and Interest Among U.S. Men Who Do Not Intend to Have More Children

“…Respondents demonstrated more accurate knowledge about not being able to get a sexual partner pregnant after undergoing vasectomy than about vasectomy’s effect on sexual functioning. These results are consistent with prior qualitative studies and recent survey findings of vasectomy knowledge in U.S. South ( Campbell et al, 2019 ; Shih et al, 2012 ; A. L. White et al, 2020 ). Erroneous perceptions about the impacts of vasectomy on sexual functioning may be related to men’s limited awareness about how vasectomy is performed and the biological processes involved in sexual functioning ( Campbell et al, 2019 ; Shih et al, 2012 ).…”

“…Erroneous perceptions about the impacts of vasectomy on sexual functioning may be related to men’s limited awareness about how vasectomy is performed and the biological processes involved in sexual functioning ( Campbell et al, 2019 ; Shih et al, 2012 ). Like other studies ( Hubert et al, 2016 ; A. L. White et al, 2020 ), men in our sample who knew others who had a vasectomy were more knowledgeable about the procedure. Thus, these social connections may be able to dispel common myths and misinformation, even if men themselves do not have detailed knowledge of the procedure, and may reduce stigma surrounding vasectomy use ( Shih et al, 2012 ).…”

“…Black, Hispanic, and low-income respondents demonstrated less accurate knowledge than white men and those with higher incomes. This may be related to social inequities in access to health information and education, given prior research showing that these factors play an important mediating role in men’s vasectomy knowledge ( Hubert et al, 2016 ; Huether et al, 1984 ; Marván et al, 2017 ; A. L. White et al, 2020 ). There was limited variation in vasectomy interest by race/ethnicity and income in our sample.…”

Relations of Knowledge with Perceptions of Eligible Men About Vasectomy in Angsau Primary Health Care, Tanah Laut, South Kalimantan

“…In the study, the results of the respondents' poor knowledge were 82%, while the good respondents' knowledge was 18%. This research is supported by research conducted by White et al (2020) showed that poor respondent knowledge is more than good respondent knowledge. The respondents' poor knowledge is due to the fact that many people do not know about contraceptives for men other than condoms.…”

“…This bad respondent's knowledge is because the respondent never gets information and explanation about it. 8 Respondents' perceptions in this study were 75% had a negative perceptions while respondents with positive perceptions were only 15%. Research conducted by Shongwe et al (2019) supports this research with the results of the study being that the perception of respondents in the study who had a bad perspective was higher than a good perception.…”