Vasectomy in the United States, 1991 and 1995.
OBJECTIVE
This study sought to assess whether the controversy surrounding publications linking vasectomy and prostate cancer has had an effect on vasectomy acceptance and practice in the United States.


METHODS
National probability surveys of urology, general surgery, and family practices were undertaken in 1992 and 1996.


RESULTS
Estimates of the total number of vasectomies performed, population rate, and proportion of practices performing vasectomy were not significantly different in 1991 and 1995.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides no solid evidence that the recent controversy over prostate cancer has influenced vasectomy acceptance or practice in the United States. However, the use of vasectomy appears to have leveled off in the 1990s.
Magnani
R J
RJ
School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University Medical Center, New Orleans, La. 70112, USA. magnani@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
Haws
J M
JM
Morgan
G T
GT
Gargiullo
P M
PM
Pollack
A E
AE
Koonin
L M
LM
D000328:Adult; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D013502:General Surgery / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D014481:United States; D014572:Urology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D014659:Vasectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends*