Characteristics of Vasectomy Recipients in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic Restricted; Files Only

Lawton, Samuel (Spring 2023)

Permanent URL: https://etd.library.emory.edu/concern/etds/mp48sf33q?locale=en
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Abstract

Introduction: The National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) is issued in three-year cycles to provide nationally representative data on contraceptive use in the United States (U.S.) A lapse in data collection through the NSFG between 2019 and 2022 may act as a barrier to understanding interest in contraception, specifically vasectomy, during this time. This study utilized data from the NSFG and from a U.S. vasectomy practice to investigate characteristics, namely age at vasectomy, self-reported number of children, and relationship status, of vasectomy recipients over the past decade.

Methods: Data from the 2011-2013, 2013-2015, 2015-2017, and 2017-2019 NSFG cycles were analyzed to create descriptive statistics of vasectomy recipients aged 21-45. Weights were applied to estimate characteristics in the U.S. Multivariate regression analyses were performed to investigate the association between age and self-reported number of biological children and vasectomy uptake. Retrospective review of vasectomy clients from a U.S. vasectomy practice was performed to investigate characteristics of vasectomy recipients from 2012-2022.  

Results: Data from the NSFG revealed increased utilization of vasectomy between the 2015-2017 cycle and the 2017-2019 cycle (5.19% versus 5.54%). From the 2011-2013 survey cycle to the 2015-2017 survey cycle, the estimated proportion of U.S. men ages 21-45 to have undergone vasectomy between ages 21-30 increased from 25.38% to 36.70%. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated increased likelihood of vasectomy among those in older age categories and among those with greater numbers of biological children. Data from the U.S. vasectomy practice revealed the proportion of clients reporting no children increased from 8.41% to 14.61% between 2020 and 2022.

Discussion: Analysis of data from the U.S. vasectomy practice suggested that characteristics related to family size among vasectomy recipients have been in the process of changing since the time of the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. Estimates from the NSFG indicated that at a national level, those with vasectomy had begun receiving the procedure at younger ages.

Conclusion: In some settings, characteristics among those receiving vasectomy have changed over the past 10 years. Further research is needed to develop a nationally representative sample and investigate contributions to changes in vasectomy recipient characteristics.

Table of Contents

Distribution Agreement - Page 1

Approval Sheet - Page 2

Abstract Cover Sheet - Page 3

Abstract - Page 4

Manuscript Cover Sheet - Page 5

Introduction - Page 6

Methods - Page 7

Results - Page 10

Discussion - Page 12

Conclusion - Page 14

References - Page 15

Tables - Page 18

IRB Approval Letter - Page 23

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