Although unintended pregnancy is a pressing public health problem, the majority of studies focus on women's reproductive health and family planning, neglecting the role of men in decisions regarding contraceptive use. Some 20% of contracepting women report being protected by vasectomy, and little is known about these couples and these men's reasons.
We conducted a nationally representative, practice-based survey of 719 men receiving vasectomies in 129 physicians' offices, stratified by region and physician specialty, to obtain a demographic and reproductive profile of these men. It provided information on why they chose to have a vasectomy, where they had it done, who affected their choice, how this choice was made, and how they paid for it.
The survey results suggest that men receiving vasectomies were mostly white (91%), married (90%), and in their thirties (average age 35.6 years). Some 48% had at least a bachelor's degree, 57% had a household income of $50,000 or more, and over 80% had private insurance. They valued the effectiveness and simplicity (compared to a tubal ligation for the woman) of the procedure.
The opportunity to choose a vasectomy is not available to all men who express interest in controlling their fertility. Few public clinics offer the procedure or even referrals to vasectomy providers, a sign that vasectomy is not offered to the economically less advantaged. This study provides useful information for developing social marketing campaigns aimed at increasing awareness and availability of vasectomy in public health care settings.
Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, participants will be able to: 1. identify the characteristics of men who receive vasectomies in the United States; 2. understand the barriers to low-income men receiving vasectomies in the United States; 3. identify social marketing strategies to increase awareness of vasectomy in the United States
Keywords: Male Reproductive Health,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None