Old Wine in a New Bottle: Rebounding Vasectomy Practice in Low–Middle‐Income Country

Background: Despite existing overwhelming evidence on the effectiveness and safety of vasectomy as a permanent method of family planning, its use worldwide has been declining over the last 5 decades. Currently, there are several studies on knowledge and acceptance of vasectomy in Ethiopia from the client-side (men). In this study, we investigated knowledge, attitude, and practice of vasectomy among family planning providers in Ethiopia. Methods: We conducted a descriptive survey study on knowledge, attitude, and practice of vasectomy among family planning providers in Ethiopia at St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College over 2 months (from September 1, 2024, to October 30, 2024). Data were collected prospectively using a structured self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23. Simple descriptive statistics were employed to analyze the data. Results: We approached 100 family planning providers, and 90 of them completed the response, making a response rate of 90%. Majority of the participants were obstetrics and gynecology resident physicians constituting 70% (63/90) followed by midwives who accounted for 13.3% (12/90). Seventy-eight (86.7%) and 46 (51.1%) out of the 90 participants had good knowledge and favorable attitude towards vasectomy, respectively. Only 7 (7.8%) out of the total had good practice. The mean scores for knowledge, attitude, and practice were 80%, 50%, and 20%, respectively. Conclusion: Despite good knowledge and favorable attitude of family providers towards vasectomy in our study, significant gap was identified in the practice of vasectomy (less than 1 in 10 of the providers included in the study had good practice of vasectomy).