A questionnaire survey on the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs regarding vasectomy of male patients consulting in the Philippine General Hospital

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of adult Filipino males consulting in the Philippine General Hospital on vasectomy, and the affect of marital status, length of marriage, number of children, level of education, economic status, religion and type of mass -media exposure on these attitude and beliefs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. A total of 1120 adult male patients were included in the study. Data were collected using a standardized, self-administered questionnaire. Percentages and means were calculated for all variables. Analysis was done using multiple regression models. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 50.7 years (SD 16.5) and the mean number of children was 2.5 (SD 2.2). Of the whole sample, 363 (32.4%) have used or are currently using one from of contraception. Among the 518 (46.2%) of men who knew about vasectomy as a form of contraception, 451(87.1%) knew that vasectomy involves ligation of the vas deferens. Higher educational status, previous or current use of contraceptive and not being a Roman Catholic were shown to be statistically significantly associated with knowing about vasectomy as a form of contraception. Only knowledge about the safety of vasectomy was shown to influence men's willingness to undergo the procedure. CONCLUSION: Improved awareness of the safety and reversibility of vasectomy may lead to increased acceptance of the procedure amongst Filipino men. Physicians play an important role in the dissemination of information about contraception, alongside the mass media, and should make efforts to ensure that adequate and accurate information is made available.