ZIM MEN SHUN VASECTOMY

MEN in Zimbabwe are reluctant to take up vasectomy, a permanent contraception method, with equipment at health centres in the country gathering dust, it has been revealed.

According to the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC), vasectomy uptake in the country is almost zero percent.

Vasectomy is the only permanent method of birth control available for men. The method involves surgically preventing sperm from entering the seminal stream, to prevent fertilisation from occurring.

ZNFPC assistant director marketing and communication Mr Martin Mukaronda said most men in the country preferred condoms as contraception. Mr Mukaronda said women were more open to permanent contraception methods compared to their male counterparts.

“The uptake of female permanent contraception is higher compared to men. According to 2015 ZDHS, 0,8 percent of married women and 0,1 percent of sexually active women reported having opted for tubal ligation method compared to almost zero percent vasectomy for males in both categories,” he said.

Mr Mukaronda said due to myths and cultural beliefs most men were more comfortable with their partners taking up permanent birth control methods.

“Men are not comfortable with having permanent methods done and they are more comfortable with their wives/partners having permanent methods than themselves. Socio-cultural and religious related myths and misconceptions on family planning mainly surround men’s attitudes towards such methods,” he said.

Added Mr Mukaronda; “Men mostly prefer male condoms as contraception method for family planning. This is mainly because male condoms are easily accessible and available in most places including shops, beer outlets, public toilets and clinics.”

Mr Mukaronda also attributed the low uptake of vasectomy to the general belief by men that only women were the only ones who could use contraception for family planning.

He also pointed out men’s low health seeking behaviour as another contributing factor, and called for more efforts to be put towards encouraging male involvement in sexual reproductive health issues.

“There is a need for full involvement and active participation of males, parliamentarians and other key stakeholders like the community, traditional and religious leaders in demystifying such misconceptions. We need to sensitise and educate the same including media personnel for them to impart correct and consistent information to the communities,” he said.

Mr Mukaronda said despite the low uptake of vasectomy, knowledge of the birth control method was high, 37 percent for all women aged between 15 and 49 and 45 percent for all men aged between 15 and 49.

Meanwhile, statistics from ZNFPC show that the country’s contraception prevalence has gone up to 67 percent up 59 percent in 2010.

According to the data about 67 percent of married women are using some form of family planning method, with 66 percent using modern methods.

The data further shows that the most popular contraceptive method is the pill, which is being used by 41 percent of married women followed by the injectables and implants each used by 10 of married women.

Among sexually active unmarried women, male condoms are by far the most commonly used method at 27 percent followed by pills (16 percent), implants (14 percent) and injectables (nine percent).

Last year ZNFPC distributed a total of 94 million condoms countrywide, 89,7 million male and 4,3 million female condoms.

The figures only represent condoms that were distributed by the Ministry of Health and Child Care through public health institutions.

Mr Mukaronda attributed the increase in contraception prevalence in the country to a robust family planning programme by Government which saw an increase in the number of family planning service providers countrywide.

“The Government of Zimbabwe realised that a robust national family planning programme, designed to help individuals and couples to attain their reproductive intentions was one of the most effective interventions to improve maternal and child health, and the quality of life.

“Since 2010, there was an increase in the number of service providers of family planning services nationwide,” he said.

ZNFPC, mandated by the Government, is working on reducing the country’s fertility rate from 3,8 children to three children per woman by 2020.