Abstract

PIP: 135 married vasectomy adopters at least 3 months postoperative in 3 districts in East Pakistan were interviewed in the third quarter of 1968. About 3/5 of the men reported no complications. Among those reporting complications about 3/4 suffered from simple pain, about 1/2 from swelling, and 2/5 from physical weakness. 9 out of 10 men reported receiving postoperative instructions from their physicians; 99% of these men reported close following of the instructions. Fewer of those who received and followed advice reported postoperative complications than those who received no advice (39.7% vs. 47.1%, n=133). Of the 135 men in the study 38% reported changes in marital life: decreased sexual desire (29%), increased sexual desire (9%), and physical weakening (2%). 3 wives were found to be pregnant after the operation, but whether the operations were failures is uncertain. According to the men 69% of the wives were satisfied with the operation, 14% were dissatisfied, 8% were unaware of the operation, and 5% had feelings unknown to the husbands. Among husbands whose wives were happy and unhappy with the operation 98% and 74%, respectively, were themselves happy with the operation (p less than .005). 54% of the men told others about their operations; almost all of these recommended the operation. The physician should given postoperative advice. Weekly follow-up of patients should occur.