Sociodemographic predictors of postvasectomy noncompliance

Sheynkin, Yefim; Mishail, Alek; Vemulapalli, Praneeth; Lee, Jacqueline; Ahn, Hongshik; Schulsinger, David

doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2009.05.123

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Volume 80, Issue 6 , Pages 566-568, December 2009

Sociodemographic predictors of postvasectomy noncompliance

Yefim Sheynkin
- Department of Urology, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 631 444 1919; fax: +1 631 444 7620.
Alek Mishail
- Department of Urology, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
Praneeth Vemulapalli
- Department of Urology, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
Jacqueline Lee
- Department of Urology, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
Hongshik Ahn
- Department of Applied Math and Statistics, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
David Schulsinger
- Department of Urology, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA

Received 10 April 2009; received in revised form 15 May 2009; accepted 20 May 2009. published online 13 July 2009.

Abstract

Background

Postvasectomy semen analysis (PVSA) is critical to establish the success of the vasectomy but the rate of compliance with PVSA is notoriously low. We determined various sociodemographic predictors of high noncompliance rate.

Study design

Retrospective chart review of 214 patients who have undergone vasectomy by one surgeon was performed. All men had similar preoperative consultation with written instruction to provide two PVSA 2 and 4 months after vasectomy. Noncompliance was defined as a failure to provide PVSA. Sociodemographic data including age, marital status, number of children, level of education and smoking history were analyzed.

Results

Of 214 patients, 99 (46.2%) provided no PVSA. Rate of noncompliance was independently higher in men with four or more children, smokers and those with lower educational level. Marital status and age had no impact on postoperative compliance

Conclusion

Objective sociodemographic variables were associated with a higher risk of PVSA noncompliance. A more thorough approach to vasectomy counseling and timely reminder of upcoming PVSA in a preoperatively defined group of patients will help to improve compliance and prevent possible medical and legal repercussions.

Keywords: Vasectomy, Semen analysis, Compliance, Predictive factors