Antecedent factors relating to the adoption of vasectomy among married men in peri-urban communities of Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Vasectomy is a method of family planning which is quite acceptable in many developed countries of the world. However, in most African countries, there are still existing barriers to its adoption by married men. This study was therefore designed to explore the antecedent factors related to the adoption of vasectomy among married men in eight (8) peri-urban communities of Ibadan, Nigeria. Four hundred and thirty one men selected using multi-stage sampling technique were interviewed in a household survey using the cross sectional study design. Mean age of the respondents was 44 ± 13.2 years, 13.5% of the respondents had reportedly heard about vasectomy, 30.8% considered it an unacceptable method of contraception while 16.2% see it as a sin against God. Barriers to the adoption of vasectomy included fear of the surgery and its side effects (26%), indifference to family planning (23%), its irreversibility (19%), personal beliefs (10%), lack of evidence that it works (8%), lack of awareness (7%), financial constraints (3%) and inadequate health system (2%). Only 29.7% had intention to adopt vasectomy as a means of birth control. Intention to adopt vasectomy was significantly associated with age (p<0.05). Awareness of vasectomy as a birth control method and intention to adopt it were low. Public enlightenment to provide correct and adequate information, education, and communication (IEC) using appropriate health promotion strategies aimed at increasing awareness and benefits of vasectomy are advocated. Key words: Antecedent factors, vasectomy, married men, peri - urban communities.