Faculty Collaboration Database

Relating economic conditions to vasectomy and vasectomy reversal frequencies: a multi-institutional study. J Urol 2014 Jun;191(6):1835-40

Date

01/16/2014

Pubmed ID

24423435

DOI

10.1016/j.juro.2013.12.045

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84900387147 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   12 Citations

Abstract

PURPOSE: It was theorized that the use of permanent contraceptive methods may vary with economic conditions. We evaluated the relationship between vasectomy/vasectomy reversal frequencies at several large referral centers and national economic indicators during 2 recessions spanning 2001 to 2011.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed an institutional review board approved, retrospective chart review to identify the number of vasectomies/vasectomy reversals per month at several large referral centers from January 2001 to July 2011. The rates of these procedures were pooled, correlated with national economic data and analyzed in a multivariate linear regression model.

RESULTS: A total of 4,599 vasectomies and 1,549 vasectomy reversals were performed at our institutions during the study period. The number of vasectomies per month positively correlated with the unemployment rate (r=0.556, p<0.001) and personal income per capita (r=0.276, p=0.002). The number of reversals per month negatively correlated with the unemployment rate (r=-0.399, p<0.001) and personal income per capita (r=-0.305, p<0.001). Neither vasectomy nor vasectomy reversal frequency significantly correlated with the inflation rate or the S&P 500®. Regression models confirmed that the unemployment rate explained more of the variance in vasectomy/vasectomy reversal frequencies than other indicators.

CONCLUSIONS: We noted a correlation between the number of vasectomies/vasectomy reversals performed at our institutions and national economic indicators. The strongest association was with the unemployment rate. This points to the importance of financial pressure on family planning decisions.

Author List

Sharma V, Zargaroff S, Sheth KR, Le BV, Dupree JM, Sandlow JI, Polackwich AS, Hedges JC, Fuchs EF, Goldstein M, Brannigan RE

Author

Jay I. Sandlow MD Chair, Professor in the Urologic Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Costs and Cost Analysis
Employment
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Income
Male
Regression Analysis
Retrospective Studies
Socioeconomic Factors
Time Factors
Unemployment
United States
Vasectomy
Vasovasostomy