English

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Both spacing and permanent birth control methods are the need of the hour. The popularity of male sterilization i.e. vasectomy is low compared to female sterilization (tubectomy). However, being safe, effective, cheap, and having less surgical complications no scalpel vasectomy (NSV) is emerging as good option. AIMS: To study the various demographic and behavioural factors of NSV acceptors. SETTING & DESIGN: This is institution based retrospective study conducted in Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical College, Kolkata during the time period of 1st April ‘2009 to 31st March’ 2015. METHODS AND MATERIAL: The patients who accepted NSV for family planning were analysed with respect to their age, residence, occupation, literacy, number of issues and complications. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data were represented as simple proportions or percentages and graphs by using micro soft excel. RESULTS: Out of 13, 048 sterilization operations, there were 3737(28.64%) vasectomies and 9311(71.36%) tubectomies. 67.08% of the couples selected sterilization for contraception. Tubectomies accounted for 2.5 times the vasectomies. The number of NSVs as a percentage of total sterilizations were 28.78% in 2009, rising to 36.96% in 2011 and gradually falling to 21.36% in 2015. Most of the clients (84%) were ≥30 years of age. In 2009-10, only educated (71%, primary education) accepted NSV. However, 74% were illiterate acceptors in 2014-15 and 83% were labourers. In last 2 years the trend is NSV after the 3rd child. CONCLUSION: NSV is emerging as a socially and culturally acceptable method of contraception in our society.