(259) ARE COST OF LIVING AND AFFORDABILITY CONCERNS CAUSING MORE MEN TO HAVE VASECTOMY WITH NO CHILDREN? A PRE- & POST-PANDEMIC ANALYSIS

Abstract Introduction Most men elect for a vasectomy after the desired number of children in their family unit is complete. Generational lifestyle priorities, cost of living and affordability may also influence the decision and timing of a vasectomy. Following the global pandemic, pressures related to the affordability have meaningfully increased. Objective The current initiative investigates the potential impact of post-pandemic lifestyle priorities, cost of living and affordability on decision to have a vasectomy. Methods A prospectively maintained database of vasectomy patients of 2 high-volume urologic surgeons was analyzed. Patients were categorized into 2 groups: Group 1 (pre-pandemic) - vasectomy performed between 2018 to 2019 (inclusive); Group 2 (post-pandemic) - vasectomy performed between 2022 to 2024 (inclusive). The groups were compared with respect to patient age, martial/relationship status and the number of children prior to vasectomy. The primary study outcome was the frequency of men undergoing vasectomy with no prior children. Results A total of 565 vasectomy patients were analyzed including 152 men in group 1 (pre-pandemic) and 413 men in group 2 (post-pandemic). Table 1. Compares the two groups with respect to patient age, relationship status and the number of children prior to vasectomy. The percentage of men undergoing vasectomy with no previous children was significantly higher (2.7-fold) among men who completed their vasectomy following the pandemic (6% vs. 16%, X2 = 3.9, p = 0.04). The mean number of children among men who underwent vasectomy following the pandemic (1.8 children) was significantly lower compared to mem completing their vasectomy prior to the pandemic (2.1 children). Conclusions Following the global pandemic, significantly more men elected for vasectomy with no prior children and the mean number of children among men presenting for vasectomy was lower. Generational lifestyle priorities, cost of living and affordability may have a significant influence on the decision to complete and timing of a vasectomy. Disclosure No.