Publication: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices regarding Non-Scalpel Vasectomy among Male Outpatients at a Tertiary Healthcare Facility in Eastern India
Date
2025
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
Despite being a safe and effective permanent contraceptive method, acceptance
of Non-Scalpel Vasectomy remains low in India due to poor awareness and
misconceptions.
Objective
To assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding Non-Scalpel Vasectomy
among male outpatients at a tertiary healthcare facility in Eastern India.
Method
A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary healthcare facility in Deoghar,
Jharkhand, involving 346 married male outpatients with partners aged 15-44 years.
Participants were selected through systematic random sampling, and data were
collected using a pretested questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics,
knowledge, attitudes, and practices.
Result
Of the participants, 61.0% demonstrated substantial knowledge of Non-Scalpel
Vasectomy and 52.0% had a favourable attitude, yet only 1.7% had undergone the
procedure. Major barriers to acceptance included lack of awareness (34.4%), fear of
side effects (17.3%), and social stigma (9.0%). Greater knowledge was significantly
associated with higher educational attainment [Adjusted Odds Ratio: 1.19, 95%
Confidence Interval: 1.08-1.31] and a favourable attitude [Adjusted Odds Ratio: 2.95,
95% Confidence Interval: 1.77-4.91]. A favourable attitude was similarly linked to
higher knowledge [Adjusted Odds Ratio: 2.96, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.78-4.91]
but inversely related to increasing partner age [Adjusted Odds Ratio: 0.91, 95%
Confidence Interval: 0.84-0.99]. Willingness to undergo the procedure was higher
among those with greater knowledge (71.1%, p=0.001) and favourable attitudes
(59.9%, p=0.007).
Conclusion
Awareness of Non-Scalpel Vasectomy was moderate, but notable gaps in knowledge
and attitudes persisted, highlighting the need for targeted education, counselling,
and community engagement to enhance acceptance and uptake.
KEY WORDS
Health knowledge, Male, Outpatients, Reproductive, Sterilization, Vasectomy
Description
Richa R,1 Biswas B,1 Jahnavi G,1 Boratne AV,1 Venugopal V,1 Gautam A,1 Gupta P,2 Varshney S3
1Department of Community and Family Medicine
2Department of Microbiology
3Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer
All India Institute of Medical Sciences
Deoghar, Jharkhand, India
Keywords
Health knowledge, Male, Outpatients, Reproductive, Sterilization, Vasectomy