title: Demographic and socio-economic differences between men seeking infertility evaluation and those seeking surgical sterilization: from the National Survey of Family Growth.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify differences in demographic and socio-economic factors between men seeking infertility evaluation and those undergoing vasectomy, to address disparities in access to these services.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from Cycle 6 and Cycle 7 (2002 and 2006-2008) of the National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) were reviewed. The NSFG is a multistage probability survey designed to capture a nationally representative sample of households with men and women aged 15-45 years in the USA. The variables analysed included age, body mass index, self-reported health, alcohol use, race, religious affiliation, marital status, number of offspring, educational attainment, income level, insurance status and metropolitan home designation. Our primary outcome was the correlation of these demographic and socio-economic factors with evaluation for male infertility or vasectomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 11 067 men identified through the NSFG, 466 men (4.2%) sought infertility evaluation, representing 2 187 455 men nationally, and 326 (2.9%) underwent a vasectomy, representing 1 510 386 men nationally. Those seeking infertility evaluation were more likely to be younger and have fewer children (P = 0.001, 0.001) and less likely to be currently married (78 vs 74%; P = 0.010) or ever married (89 vs 97%; P = 0.002). Men undergoing a vasectomy were more likely to be white (86 vs 70%; P = 0.001). Men seeking infertility evaluation were more likely to have a college or graduate degree compared with men undergoing a vasectomy (68 vs 64%; P = 0.015). There was no difference between the two groups for all other variables.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While differences in demographic characteristics such as age, offspring number and marital status were identified, measures of health, socio-economic status, religion and insurance were similar between men undergoing vasectomy and those seeking infertility services. These factors help characterize the utilization of male reproductive health services in the USA and may help address disparities in access to these services and improve public health strategies.
authors.affiliation: Center for Reconstructive Urology and Men's Health, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hotaling
authors.affiliation: Center for Reconstructive Urology and Men's Health, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
authors.forename: Darshan P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: Center for Reconstructive Urology and Men's Health, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
authors.forename: William O
authors.initials: WO
authors.lastname: Brant
authors.affiliation: Center for Reconstructive Urology and Men's Health, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
authors.forename: Jeremy B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Mark R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Cullen
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Michael L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Eisenberg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014659:Vasectomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: infertility; male; questionnaires; reproductive health services; vasectomy