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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Ricardo Vernon, PhD, Frontiers in Reproductive Health Program, Population Council, Escondida 110, Col. Villa Coyoacán, Mexico City, 04000, Mexico, (52)(55) 5999-8650, rvernon@popcouncil.org.mx and Jorge Solorzano, MD, Guatemala Office, Population Council, Escondida 110, Col. Villa Coyoacán, Mexico City, 04000, Mexico.

Although vasectomy is less expensive and safer than female sterilization, less than one percent of married women of reproductive age in Guatemala use it as a contraceptive method. Between 2001 and 2003, the Ministry of Health performed only 43 vasectomies.

In this project we tested the effectiveness of a systemic model for introducing vasectomy in service delivery units of the MOH, which has four basic components: a) the self-selection of health units according to their response to an invitation to participate in the project; b) the development of a counseling and information model for potential clients; c) training and sensitizing of health teams, and d) on-site training of surgeons. The project was conducted in six hospitals and maternities, where eight surgeons completed their training. The health teams generated 205 vasectomy requests, and provided the method to 158 men. On average, surgeons performed 8.25 vasectomies on 3.75 surgery sessions in 12 weeks to complete their training. Surgeons were followed-up for an average of 22 weeks after their certification. During this period, each surgeon participated in an average of 3.5 surgery sessions and performed 9.25 vasectomies on average, which shows that the vasectomy services were institutionalized in the hospitals that participated in the project.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Describe the four components of a systemic vasectomy introduction model.
• List the contents of theoretical and applied training in vasectomy for physicians.
• Select appropriate indicators to evaluate vasectomy training programs.

Keywords: Contraception, Male Reproductive Health

Related Web page: www.popcouncil.org/Frontiers

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered

Handout (.ppt format, 104.5 kb)