Assessing the Acceptability of Vasectomy as a Family Planning Option: A Qualitative Study with Men in the Kingdom of Eswatini

Philile Shongwe, Busisiwe Ntuli and Sphiwe Madiba
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Philile Shongwe: Department of Public Health, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
Busisiwe Ntuli: Department of Public Health, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
Sphiwe Madiba: Department of Public Health, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria 0001, South Africa

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 24, 1-13

Abstract: The uptake of vasectomy in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa is low. In Eswatini, a kingdom with strong patriarchal norms, the use of vasectomy is at 0.3%. This is despite great efforts to introduce vasectomy and involve men in reproductive health. This study explored the views of men about the acceptability of vasectomy and their willingness to adopt vasectomy as a family planning option. Focus group discussions were conducted with adult men recruited from health facilities located in rural, semi urban, and urban areas in two of the regions of Eswatini. A thematic approach was used to analyze the data. The acceptability of and intention to use vasectomy as a family planning option was very low. Cultural beliefs, societal norms, lack of knowledge about the procedure for vasectomy, and misconceptions influenced the acceptability of vasectomy greatly. The participants could not grasp the concept of a family planning method that is as permanent as vasectomy. However, the decisions to accept or reject vasectomy were influenced by their misconceptions and fears about vasectomy and were not based on facts. To address the need to involve men in reproductive health and improve the acceptability and adoption of vasectomy, planning should be conducted with them and informed by their understanding of their needs.

Keywords: Eswatini; family planning; vasectomy; acceptance; culture; adoption (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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