A follow-up study of vasectomy cases in Orissa.

This was a study of vasectomies in 3 districts selected at random from the 13 districts in the state of Orissa India. A total of 250 men selected randomly from men operated on from April 1967 to September 1967 were interviewed. 50% were below 40 years of age with most aged 35-39. 17.2% were above 50 years. 92.4% of the spouses were 15-44 years while 5.6% were above 45 years of age. 54% of the vasectomized men were illiterate with 91.2% not above primary education. Of the spouses 82% were illiterate. 72.4% of the men were farmers or farm laborers. 61.6% had up to 4 living children 38.4% had 5 or more. Because of the traditional value of a male child this factor was studied. 3.6% had no male child. If all had been sterilized after 3 living children 91.2% would have at least 1 living male child. (These results are very similar to studies of 250 vasectomies in the state of Madhya Pradesh). Median age of the youngest child was 3.5 years and 30.8% had accepted vasectomy only after their youngest living child was at least 5 years of age. 76.4% considered that 3 children are needed for the ideal family. More than 97% thought at least 1 male child was necessary. Knowledge of other contraceptive methods was low and only 8% had practiced other methods. Information on family planning was received most often through government agencies (55.6%) although informal interpersonal relations were frequently reported. 89.6% favored payment of money for each case mostly for support of family or loss of wages. While most reported the operation as relatively painless 13.6% reported considerable pain. (Poor use of local anesthetic is considered the cause). 70.4% reported their sex vigor was unchanged or increased while 28% reported their sex desire had declined. This group also requires further study and perhaps reassurance. 66.7% who disclosed their operation received a good reaction from listeners while 5.4% received a bad reaction and 7% a mixed reaction. 99.2% had consulted other persons before undergoing vasectomy. Many of those consulted had themselves had the operation done. Satisified patients have had great influence in motivating others for vasectomy. Services available near their homes are better utilized. Specialized services in district hospitals are often not looked into.