Vasectomy is family planning: factors affecting uptake among men in eastern province of Rwanda

Abstract

BackgroundVasectomy is the only permanent method of male contraception. It is safer, cheaper, and easier to provide than female sterilisation. Men typically take a vocal role as decision-makers in Africa, yet it is women who take family planning (FP) action. Objective To assess the knowledge and attitude of men toward vasectomy as a method of FP in the Eastern Province of Rwanda. Methods A cross-sectional design, and systematic sampling of every other household was used in a selected area. The sample size was 390 men and a valid questionnaire was used to collect data. Data analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics. ResultsSociodemographic characteristics affecting vasectomy included education (p < 0.001), religion (p < 0.001), and the number of sexual partners (p = 0.018). Knowledge scores ranged from 58.4% to 82.6%. Many participants agreed that men should take part in FP (78.7%), and use vasectomy as an FP method (77.2%). ConclusionMen scored over 50% on vasectomy knowledge items, though many erroneously believed misconceptions. Misinformation is a barrier to vasectomy uptake, and greater awareness of vasectomy knowledge is needed to change attitudes and increase acceptance. Rwandan families and communities could greatly benefit from men's active role in family planning.

Predictors of Male Sterilization among Eligible, Modern Method of Family Planning Users in India: Evidence from a Nationwide Survey

“…Among Muslim men, only 1.8% underwent male sterilization which was quite low compared to Hindus (3.5%). It was in concordance with a study in Rwanda by Ntakirutimana et al (15) which reported that Catholics [OR:3.7(1.8-4.2)] and Protestants [OR:5.4(4.4-8.5)] are more likely to accept vasectomy compared to Muslim men. Whereas, the study in Borno by Aji et al (17) reported that the attitude of married Muslim men towards family planning is mainly negative because they believe that Islam is against FP.…”

“…(12,13,14) Educational level of both the partners plays a crucial role in the decision of male sterilization as reported by a south Indian (10) and other studies around the world. (12,13,14,15,16) We did not find such an association between educational level and male sterilization. This may be because, we have only enrolled those who were using modern methods of family planning in our sample.…”

“…(9) As per existing literature, the attributes of acceptance of male sterilization were found to be the age of both husband and wife, their educational level, socioeconomic status, region/state they belong to, religious belief, ethnicity etc. (10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17) Whereas barriers of NSV were found to be lack of information, religious prohibition, perceived negative impact of NSV on a man's health, concern regarding the safety of NSV, social stigma, uncertainty regarding the future desire for children etc. (18,19) Although the prevalence of using modern methods among currently married women of the reproductive age group in India slightly increased in NFHS-4 (51.2%) compared to NFHS-3 (48.5%), male sterilization declined from 1.0% in NFHS -3 to merely 0.3 % in NFHS-4.…”

Men’s Knowledge of Vasectomy and Its Associated Factors in Debre Tabor Town, Northwest Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

“…The result of this study revealed that as the educational status of the participant increases the knowledge level of vasectomy also increased linearly. This finding is supported by studies conducted in Rwanda, 24 Gondar, 26 and Dangila Town. 27 The reason for this might be that educated men are more likely to be exposed to different media.…”

Barriers to vasectomy acceptance and uptake in Nigeria: a review of the literature

“…Many other studies on vasectomy in West Africa reviewed report that fear, and religious and cultural beliefs, which are also framed as a lack of knowledge, contribute to the poor uptake of vasectomy in the region. [40][41][42][43] . These studies recommend increased publicity and public awareness campaigns on vasectomy.…”