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Introducing sustainable vasectomy services in guatemala.

Vernon R, Solórzano J, Muñoz B

Regional director, Latin America and the Caribbean, of the Frontiers in Reproductive Health program, Population Council, Mexico City, rvernon@popcouncil.org.mx.

The use of contraceptive methods in Guatemala has rapidly increased over the past two decades, from 23% of married or cohabiting women aged 15-49 in 1987 to 43% in 2002. The most frequently used method in the country has been female sterilization, used by 11% of these women in 1987 and by 17% in 2002. In contrast, fewer than 1% of women reported that their partner had received a vasectomy.1,2 From a public health perspective, it would be desirable for a greater proportion of couples to adopt vasectomy rather than female sterilization. Vasectomy has a lower rate of postoperative complications than female sterilization, and the client's recovery time is shorter; it is also a less expensive procedure for the providing institution. Furthermore, vasectomy is the only long-term method that men can use to achieve their fertility ideals, and it allows for direct male involvement in reproductive decision making.

Published 7 January 2008 in Int Fam Plan Perspect, 33(4): 182-7.
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