KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS TOWARDS VASECTOMY AMONG MARRIED MEN IN ARBA MINCH TOWN,SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA, 2021; A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Vasectomy is a safe and effective permanent modern contraceptive method for males. This effective method however has been underutilized in Ethiopia as the focus has been given to contraceptive methods available for women than men. So far, there are few studies that have addressed this method done in Ethiopia. Moreover, there is a sacristy of data about the method in the study area regarding married men’s knowledge and attitude towards vasectomy. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess Knowledge, attitude and associated factors towards vasectomy among married men in Arba Minch town, Southern Ethiopia, 2021. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2 to June 2/2021 at Arba Minch town. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 624 study participants. Data were collected via face-to-face interview technique using a semi-structured and pretested questionnaire. Data were entered Epi data 3.1, cleaned and analyzed using SPSS for windows version 25.0. Descriptive statistics, bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. An adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% CI at a p-value < 0.05 was estimated to identify statistically significant variables with Knowledge and Attitude towards vasectomy. The findings were presented by Tables, Graphs, and Text. Results: A total of 600 men were interviewed with a 96.2% of response rate. About 36.8% of men reported that they had ever heard about vasectomy. Of those who heard about vasectomy, only 60.6 %( CI 56.4-64.4%) and 48.4% (CI 44.4-52.4%) of men had good knowledge and positive attitude towards vasectomy respectively. Attending college/university and above (AOR=4.05 95%CI 1.720-9.521), aged 31-40years (AOR=2.308 95%CI 1.081-4.929) and age >=41years (AOR=2.671 95%CI 1.159-6.156) were a factor that associated with the knowledge of men about vasectomy. Age >=41years (AOR=4.735 95%CI 2.015-11.129), age of last child (AOR=3.868 CI 1.554-9.632) and discuss about family planning with wife (AOR=2.821 95%CI 1.559-5.105) were the factors that are associated with the attitude of men towards vasectomy. Conclusion and recommendation: Higher educational attainment and age are significantly associated with knowledge of the method. Discuss about family planning with wife, age and age of last child significantly associated with attitude towards vasectomy. Encourage Couples’ discussion and improve community education sessions for married men about vasectomy needed to increase knowledge and bring positive attitude. Keywords: - Arba Minch, Attitude, Associated factor, Ethiopia, Knowledge, Married men, Vasec