Objectives: Previous Nigerian studies show widespread
ignorance and low acceptance of vasectomy
among the male population. The objectives of this
study were to determine the level of knowledge of,
attitudes to, counselling pattern and acceptance of vasectomy
among Nigerian Resident Gynaecologists.
Design: A cross-sectional questionnaire based survey.
Method: Resident Doctors attending a national update
course in obstetrics and gynaecology.
Results: Most of the doctors had good knowledge of
Vasectomy. More than four-fifth of the doctors were
convinced that the average Nigerian male will not accept
vasectomy when indicated while more than threefifth
consider BTL a more appropriate option for permanent
contraception in our setting. Forty one point
three percent of the doctors will opt for vasectomy or
urge their husbands to. Reasons for opposition to vasectomy
were socio-cultural (21.3%), religious (13.1%)
and psychological (41.0%), 24.6% had no specific reasons.
While 89.4% of the doctors counselled often for
BTL only 5.8% did for vasectomy.
Conclusion: The Doctors showed good knowledge of
vasectomy but most were poorly disposed towards use
of vasectomy. The findings suggest a need for effective
national training programmes targeted at resident doctors
to enhance their knowledge of vasectomy as well
as break barriers to personal use of, and counselling for
vasectomy.