Community Perceptions Of Male Sterilization As A Birth Control Method In The La Dadekotopon Municipality, Accra

ABSTRACT Background Male sterilization is a simple, safe and less expensive method of birth control, equally effective as other forms of permanent birth control measures, yet least known and patronized. Vasectomy does not only provide health benefits to the user and his direct family, but to the whole population, by reducing and regulating it. Therefore the study sought to explore the community perceptions, level of knowledge on male sterilization, availability of services and reasons for use or non-use in the La Dadekotopon municipality, Accra. Method A qualitative exploratory study was conducted with the use of phenomenological approach in the La DadeKotopon municipal area, Accra. Data was collected through3 focus group discussions with10 participants in each group. The selection and recruitment for the FGD was done through snowballing for only the population of men 20years and above and women in their fertile age, who have resided in that community for more than 3years and have children. There were 14 Key Informant Interviews. The interviews and focus group discussions were audio-taped, hand written notes taken on the facial expressions and gestures with the expressed permission from participants. Recorded data were transcribed verbatim and immersion in data to identify themes using the content analyses manually.