Attitudes Towards Vasectomy among Adult Men in Kapkatet Ward, Kericho County- Kenya.

Abstract Vasectomy is safe, cost-effective and permanent surgical method of male family planning yet it remains the most under-utilized in Africa and Kenya especially among men in rural communities. Socio-cultural barriers, negative attitudes, limited knowledge and among others contribute to low uptake of vasectomy especially among men in rural Kenya. In addition, men’s perception of vasectomy is often distorted, inaccurate, mystical or sometimes characterized by myths and misconceptions. The aim of the current study was to assess attitudes towards vasectomy among adult men in Kapkatet Ward within Kericho County, Kenya. Kapkatet ward is a key catchment area for Kapkatet Hospital and this hospital is located within that ward. Ethicality was assured by obtaining permission from Medical Superintendent Kapkatet hospital and an informed consent from the respondents; anonymity and confidentiality was assured by using codes instead of names and prohibiting unauthorized access to data respectively. A cross-sectional study design was conducted on a systematically selected sample of 200 adult men who had at least two children. Data were collected using a pre-tested researcher administered questionnaire containing closed and open ended question items and analysed using descriptive statistics. The respondent’s socio-demographic characteristics were determined and their attitudes assessed using responses on readiness to use vasectomy, beliefs about associated health risks and side effects as well as beliefs associated with vasectomy as a family planning method for men. Majority (95%) of the respondents were Christians, 3% of the respondents subscribed to traditional African religions and the minority 2% were Muslims. Most (85%) respondents were married with at least 4-7children. A negligible number (2%) of respondents felt they were ready to undergo vasectomy while many respondents (98%) out rightly felt they were not ready to undergo vasectomy. Religious prohibitions and false beliefs about the health risks and side effects of vasectomy were some of the barriers to acceptance of vasectomy. A large number of respondents (95%) indicated their religion was against vasectomy and too few (5%) asserted that their religion was not against vasectomy. Study findings have shown that majority of respondents had negative attitudes towards vasectomy with very strong unfavourable religious and cultural beliefs, myths and misconceptions about vasectomy. Equally, a very strong negative feeling of readiness to undergo vasectomy was reported among very many respondents. Moreover, widespread misconceptions, myths and negative attitudes were dominant in most responses. To improve uptake of vasectomy, male specific counselling and education vis a vis culturally congruent messages are an imperative. Empowering adult men with acceptable and appropriate information will go a long way into cultivating joint family planning responsibilities among couples and thereby contribute towards national goals on contraceptive uptake among men to lower fertility rates in the country.