Awareness,diffusion of information and reasons for adoption of vasectomy: a study of family planning in Bihar

A survey carried out to study problems related to Indian vasectomy camps organized at Patna and Jamue towns had the following major purposes: 1) to determine to what extent vasectomy adopters were aware of the family planning program; 2) to determine advantages perceived of adopting vasectomy; 3) to determine how the adopters became aware of the vasectomy camps; and 4) to determine why adopters chose permanent conception control. 200 adopters from Patna and an equal number from Jamue were selected, based on an accidental sampling technique whereby each adopter was contacted and persuaded to be interviewed. It was found that a majority of the adopters were illiterates. Among advantages listed by adopters, the importance of family planning seemed to be subdued by propensity to better their economic condition. It was seen that the literate adopters have a much higher proportion of awareness of the need for family planning and population control. Concerning diffusion of information, the informal and interpersonal sources were equally effective and conducive for the adopters. More than l/2 of the adopters relied upon information provided by friends. In general, higher levels of education correlate with less influence of friends as communicators. The official sources turned out to be effective for the more highly educated adopters. The following advantages were called out as reasons for vasectomy adoption by adopter : 1) permanence; 2) economical reasons; 3) no reason; or 4) many reasons. Whatever the reasons, it is obvious that vasectomy is gaining momentum gradually and people are becoming aware of the underlying advantages of permanent conception control.