THE KNOWLEDGE AND ACCEPTANCE OF VASECTOMY AMONGST MALE HEALTH WORKERS IN UNIVERSITY OF UYO TEACHING HOSPITAL UYO, AKWA IBOM STATE.

Family planning is the use of methods by couples to control the number and spacing of children. There are methods for the female and male partners. Vasectomy is one of the methods for the male partner; it is a permanent method of male sterilization. It is the most effective permanent method available to men. The procedure is common in Canada, United States and China, but is not very common in developing countries like Nigeria. Most family planning methods are targeted towards women. The lack of attention on men in family planning services, especially permanent methods has resulted in negative attitudes towards such methods, of which vasectomy is an example. Therefore, understanding the level of knowledge and acceptance of vasectomy among healthcare workers is crucial in promoting its uptake and ensuring adequate information. This study added to the body of knowledge, helped identify gaps in knowledge and practice of vasectomy, guided targeted interventions in health education and service provision of vasectomy. Our aim was to assess the level of knowledge and acceptance of vasectomy among male health workers in the University Of Uyo Teaching hospital with a 500 bed capacity. A descriptive cross sectional study design was used for the study. Sample size was determined using Cochran’s 1977 formula for cross sectional studies. Our calculated sample size was 106. The sample population was selected using multi stage sampling technique which involved stratified random sampling, purposive non-probability sampling, proportional allocation and systematic random sampling. From the study, our result showed that105 (99.06%) of 106 respondents have heard of vasectomy, 81 (76.42%) believed that it’s a permanent method of contraception, 70 (66.04%) knew that their semen doesn’t contain sperm after vasectomy, 78 (73.58%) knew that they can still ejaculate after viii having a vasectomy, 101 (95.28%) agreed that the procedure should be performed by a doctor, 51 (48.11%) knew that recovery after performing the procedure is within a week, 80 (75.47%) knew that patients could experience mild pain after the procedure, 79 (74.53%) agreed that vasectomy is not synonymous with castration. This shows that there is good knowledge of vasectomy among the respondents. The result also showed that friends view was the most significance factor influencing the level of acceptance (83.02%). In conclusion, good knowledge of vasectomy does not translate to a high acceptance of the procedure.