Report on the First International Conference on Vasectomy

Abstract

Vasectomy acceptance has shown a gradual decline in the past 10 years. To study the problem the World Federation of Health Agencies for the Advancement of Voluntary Surgical Contraception and the Ministry of Plan Implementation of the Government of Sri Lanka cohosted the First International Conference on Vasectomy from 4 to 7 October 1982 in Colombo. The participants--70 leading professionals from 25 countries--concluded that vasectomy is one of the safest and most effective methods of contraception. They found that its recent poor performance is more a result of neglect especially by planners and administrators in the professional family planning community than a result of mens resistance to choosing vasectomy. Specific recommendations detailed in the report include educating health providers and the public; involving acceptors in education and counseling programs; surveying the needs of consumers; providing creative quality programming; and training surgical personnel. The underutilized program in India and the successful programs in Bangladesh Thailand Brazil Indonesia and Sri Lanka are described. All the successful vasectomy programs are characterized by strong leadership focused program design attention to the needs of men appropriate training strategies community based orientation multiple communications methods and thorough counseling. (authors modified)