TY - JOUR
T1 - Vasectomy interest and awareness among patients and their partners in prenatal clinics in the United States
AU - Guo, Xiaoyue Mona
AU - Lore, Marybeth
AU - Madrigal, Jessica
AU - Kiley, Jessica
AU - Zumpf, Katelyn
AU - Adam, Megan
AU - Patel, Ashlesha
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
©
PY - 2022/1/1
Y1 - 2022/1/1
N2 - Objective Although vasectomy is safer, more effective and less expensive than tubal ligation, rates of permanent contraception are consistently higher in women than in men. We sought to explore vasectomy interest and awareness in patients and their partners during prenatal visits, a time when contraceptive counselling is typically performed. Methods Anonymous surveys were distributed between January and July 2019 to a cross-sectional, convenience sample of pregnant women and their partners, if available, presenting for outpatient prenatal care at two hospitals (one public, one private) serving different patient populations in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Survey questions gauged participant awareness and interest in vasectomies. Results Surveys were completed by 436 individuals (78% female, 24% male). Seventy percent of respondents indicated interest in vasectomy after achieving optimal family size, but most respondents had never discussed it with their healthcare provider. Factors associated with vasectomy interest included being partnered, having a lower household income, and knowing someone who has had a vasectomy. Almost 50% of respondents would be interested in obtaining information about vasectomies from their obstetrician or prenatal care provider. Conclusions Many patients and their male partners in the prenatal clinic setting were interested in vasectomy as a method for permanent contraception, but most respondents had never received counselling. Since comprehensive prenatal care includes contraceptive planning, obstetric providers are uniquely positioned to educate individuals on vasectomy.
AB - Objective Although vasectomy is safer, more effective and less expensive than tubal ligation, rates of permanent contraception are consistently higher in women than in men. We sought to explore vasectomy interest and awareness in patients and their partners during prenatal visits, a time when contraceptive counselling is typically performed. Methods Anonymous surveys were distributed between January and July 2019 to a cross-sectional, convenience sample of pregnant women and their partners, if available, presenting for outpatient prenatal care at two hospitals (one public, one private) serving different patient populations in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Survey questions gauged participant awareness and interest in vasectomies. Results Surveys were completed by 436 individuals (78% female, 24% male). Seventy percent of respondents indicated interest in vasectomy after achieving optimal family size, but most respondents had never discussed it with their healthcare provider. Factors associated with vasectomy interest included being partnered, having a lower household income, and knowing someone who has had a vasectomy. Almost 50% of respondents would be interested in obtaining information about vasectomies from their obstetrician or prenatal care provider. Conclusions Many patients and their male partners in the prenatal clinic setting were interested in vasectomy as a method for permanent contraception, but most respondents had never received counselling. Since comprehensive prenatal care includes contraceptive planning, obstetric providers are uniquely positioned to educate individuals on vasectomy.
KW - contraception behavior
KW - counseling
KW - family planning services
KW - reproductive
KW - sterilization
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U2 - 10.1136/bmjsrh-2021-201062
DO - 10.1136/bmjsrh-2021-201062
M3 - Article
C2 - 34272208
AN - SCOPUS:85110590208
SN - 2515-1991
VL - 48
SP - E67-E74
JO - BMJ Sexual and Reproductive Health
JF - BMJ Sexual and Reproductive Health
IS - e1
ER -