Assessment of Vasectomy clients in Sankhuwasabha district of Nepal.
By: Nawaraj Subba, MPH, MA

Summary
Study design
Rationale of the Study
Objective of the Study
Survey organization/ Samples/ Instruments/ Data processing
Major Findings
Caste and Ethnic
Occupation of Clients
Educational Status 
Age distribution of Clients
Mean age of Client and Spouse
Number of children of the Clients
Child Mortality ever experienced by the Clients
Age of youngest children of the Clients
Mean Blood Pressure of Clients
Status previous Contraception
Category of Contraception
Limitation of the study
Conclusion

Summary: A review assessment was under taken on Vasectomy clients over 3 consecutive years during in Sankhuwasabha district. The objective of the study was to assess demographic, socio-cultural and personal status of the clients in the district. There were 427 Face-Sheets taken as samples for the study; those were filled up during VSC camps. EPI-Info software was used for data processing in computer. Major findings were; Mean age of vasectomy clients was 32.5 years and mean age of their wife was 28.7 years. Average number of children of a client was 3.2 children. 55.8% couples have used temporary contraceptives before getting vasectomy. 57.8% had used Depo-Provera, 32.8% had used condoms and 7.8% couples had had used Oral Pills before the vasectomy operation. 36% clients were found literate, 18.4% clients were under SLC, 17.2% were illiterate, 16% SLC and 12.5% were Intermediate level and above. Occupation of 73.7% clients was agriculture, 21.4% clients were service holders and 4.7% clients were involved in business.

Study Design: It was an assessment of the Vasectomy clients of Sankhuwasabha district.

Rationale of Study: It has been a problem for years to conduct a Vasectomy operation in a mountainous Sankhuwasabha district due to managerial problem. The target has not been achieved fully due to different reasons. There might be a management problem in one hand, there is also socio-cultural factors on the other. So, this is a small attempt to analyze the socio-cultural characteristics of the vasectomy clients. It could provide some information and suggestion that can be used in further planning process in the district.

Objective of Study: Overall objective is to assess the demographic, social and occupational characteristics of Vasectomy clients of Sankhuwasabha district.

Specific Objective:

1. To assess family history and use of contraception.
2. To assess the educational and occupational status of clients.
3. To assess blood pressure situation of clients.

Survey Organizations: Health Posts = 12, Sub Health Posts = 25

Samples: 427 Face-Sheets that were filled up at the time of Vasectomy operation conducted Fiscal Years 056/57, 057/58 and 058/59 in Sankhuwasabha district.

Instruments: Face-Sheets.

Data Processing: EPI-Info Computer software.

Chhetri was 31.1%, Brahmin was 23.4%, Dalit was 7.3% and Vaishya was 1.6% of total 427 clients. Ethnic groups such as Rai, Limbu, Gurung, Magar, Tamang, Sherpa and Newar had constituted 36.5% of total clients.

The occupation of most of the clients was Agriculture (73.7%). Similarly 21.4% were service holders, carpenter and tailors. 4.7% clients were involved in business.

More than one third that is 36.0% clients were literate, able to read and write. 18.4% were under SLC, 17.2% were illiterate, 16.0% were SLC and 12.5% were IA level and above among the clients.

4. Age distribution of Clients

The mean age of a client was 32.5 years and wife was 28.7 years.

Average number of children of clients was more than 3 children.

6.79% had experienced loss of their child before. 427 clients had had got total 1412 live births before but now they had total 1383 children when they were adopting Vasectomy.

Average age of client's youngest child was more or less 4 years of age. Age of a girl child was relatively younger than a boy child.

6. Mean Blood Pressure.

The mean Systolic Blood Pressure of the clients was 118.5 mm of Hg and mean Diastolic Blood Pressure was 78.6 mm of Hg. There was no clients having abnormal blood pressure when screening for the Vasectomy.

7. Status of Previous use of Temporary Contraceptives.

57.8% had used Depo-Provera, 32.8% had used condoms and 7.8% couples had had used Oral Pills before the vasectomy operation.

• Time constraints
• Budget constraints
• Sampling Error

Conclusion. The occupation of most of the clients was Agriculture (73.7%). Similarly 21.4% were service holders, carpenter and tailors. 4.7% clients were involved in business. Mean age of vasectomy clients was 32.5 years and mean age of their wife was 28.7 years. Average number of children of clients was more than 3 children. 6.79% had experienced loss of their child before. 55.8% couples have used temporary contraceptives before getting vasectomy. Average age of client's youngest child was more or less 4 years of age. Age of a girl child was relatively younger than a boy child. 57.8% had used Depo-Provera, 32.8% had used condoms and 7.8% couples had had used Oral Pills before the vasectomy operation. Average number of children of a client was 3.2 children. 36% clients were found literate, 18.4% clients were under SLC, 17.2% were illiterate, 16% SLC and 12.5% were Intermediate level and above. Occupation of 73.7% clients was agriculture, 21.4% clients were service holders and 4.7% clients were involved in business. The mean Systolic Blood Pressure of the clients was 118.5 mm of Hg and mean Diastolic Blood Pressure was 78.6 mm of Hg. No clients were having abnormal blood pressure at Screening.

©2002. Nawaraj Subba, nrsubba@hotpop.com