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Myths keep vasectomy rate low in Puducherry

PUDUCHERRY: Myths and misconceptions continue to hamper the family planning measures of the Health Department. Despite adequate facilities at hospitals and consistent awareness initiatives, sterilisation rates among men remain low in the last few years in Puducherry.

According to officials and field workers of the department, the crux of the problem lies with women. Many women believe sterilisation would cause health problems to men, the breadwinners of the family. As a result, more and more women volunteer for tubectomy taking the number to over 10,000 every year.

In 2004-2005, 11,915 tubectomies were performed as compared to 17 vasectomies. The situation was similar in 2005-2006 with 10,194 tubectomies and 19 vasectomies.

Over 10,400 women opted for sterilisation in 2006-2007 as against 24 men. Up to February 2008, 9,538 women underwent tubectomy and 14 men opted for sterilisation.

In its regular review of the performance of family welfare programmes across the country, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has registered a total of 7,189 sterilisations in Puducherry, of which 12 were vasectomies during April to November 2007.

The percentage of vasectomy to the total sterilisations in the Union Territory was 0.2 per cent.

“Most women undergo sterilisation soon after delivery in one-sitting. Men need to allot separate time for it. Often, it is due to misconceptions that many do not come forward for sterilisation. Women do not want their husbands to undergo vasectomy,” a senior official of the department said.

The field-level experience of Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANM), who are involved in awareness programmes for family welfare measures, also stands proof of this attitude among women.

“Women are more forthcoming for sterilisation. During interaction, many of them say they can undergo the procedure as they are at home and men have to work. The situation is same among educated persons as very few come forward for vasectomy,” an ANM said.

For instance, she said wives of coolie workers feel that men cannot lift weight and would also fall ill frequently after undergoing vasectomy.

“We take up one area every day to motivate men and women for various family welfare programmes. We tell them the no-scalpel vasectomy is a very simple procedure but not many accept our counselling,” the ANM pointed out.

With the aim of motivating men, the department would soon start health education programmes in the evening. Accordingly, ANMs and health workers would visit areas where men get together in the evenings in villages to create awareness of family planning programmes.

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