Publication:

A cross-sectional study on preference of tubectomy over vasectomy among eligible couples in Bengaluru, Karnataka

Background Population policies, family planning and welfare programmes undertaken by the Government of India, have led to continuous decrease in the fertility rate but sustainability and target of net reproduction rate 1 is not yet achieved. With increase trend of adopting the permanent method of contraception by eligible couples, the preferences of tubectomy over vasectomy is still remarkable. Hence, the present study is taken up to find Knowledge, Attitude and Practice regarding sterilization and factors influencing it.

Methods A cross-sectional study is conducted in the year 2017 among eligible couples who have completed their family size or pregnant women who came for second confinement to Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre and Shreyas Maternity Home, Hoskote and Shreyas maternity home are included. An institutional ethics committee (IEC) is given on vasectomy, the better method of sterilization and responses are recorded.

Results A total 92.6% couples were aware of permanent family planning methods. Among them only 30.6% couples are aware of vasectomy. There is a significant association between number of children in a family and to undergo sterilization (p=0.02) method. Reason for not choosing vasectomy are unawareness (49.3%) and social stigma (38%) mainly. 11 couples (7.3%) changed their opinion to undergo vasectomy after giving an IEC.

Conclusions Many couples were knowledgeable about tubectomies and opted for it. Only a small number of couples changed their opinion from tubectomy to vasectomy after being given an IEC.