남성불임수술수용자 증대를 위한 조사연구

Abstract

Vasectomy is the least preferred contraceptive method in Korea and although the target for 1977 was reduced from 60,000 to 40,000, it was not reached. This study explored why more wives than husbands are sterilized through the interviewing of 182 sterilized women in Miya-dong, Dobong-ku and 42 women who were sterilized at the family consultation center of Seoul National University Hospital from May 1, 1979 to May 31, 1979. The study also assesses the aceeptability and effectiveness of vasectomy by exploring motivation, knowledge, attitudes and soeiological implications. Most Korean males prefer female sterilization (81. 5%) and 66% of all husbands flatly refuse vasectomy. Interestingly, wives have contradictory attitudes towards vasectomy; though wives (50%) suggested vasectomy to their husbands, 62.1% stopped their husbands from having them. In deciding to be sterilized, both husbands' and wives' thinking is greatly influenced by traditional Confucian thinking coneerning the importance of the head of the household (KA]ANG). For example, husbands and wives fear the sideeffeets of sterilization especially physical weakness or sexual difficulty (51. 5%), but, wives are willing to suffer the side-effects of sterilization to spare their husbands suffering from a vasectomy. Although the Korean family is male-oriented, the wife has the authority to choose her own contraceptive method regardless of her husband's opinion. To increase vasectomy acceptors, the side-effects from vaseetomy need to be reduced. and regular follow-up need to be provided along with better services. It is also necessary to develop a good IE&C program for vasectomy.