Visakhapatnam :
To encourage men to come forward for vasectomy, the state government has launched an extensive awareness campaign in all the districts aiming to raise the rate of procedures from 2 to 5% by March- end. While rate of tubectomy is more than 60, barely 2 to 3% opt for vasectomy due to myths associated with it. Focus is also on non-surgical ways of population stabilisation for women by popularising IUCD (intra uterine contraceptive device) method.
At present Andhra Pradesh is emphasising on population stabilisation and spacing between children since the total fertility rate at 1.8 is below the national average of 2.7.
The government also gives incentive packages to the parents, motivators and health workers worth Rs 1,000 (tubectomy) and Rs 1,500 (vasectomy).
State joint director for family welfare Dr Ch Jayakumari informed, “Under the government’s new population stabilisation policy, we have been aggressively organising special camps and awareness campaigns for men by distributing IEC (information, education, communication) material and dispelling myths so that they come forward to get vasectomy done. Only around 2-3% men undergo this operation in the state. We want to increase the rate to 5% and our expected level of achievement this year is 50,000. We want to complete at least 20,000 vasectomies by March. It’s mainly myths that one would lose his potency if operated that deter men from opting for vasectomy after birth of two children.”
Moreover, thrust is also given on non-surgical methods of spacing and birth control after the first or second Caesarian, which is also reversible.
For this, post-partum intra uterine contraceptive devices (IUCD) are being distributed to the 23 districts. The IUCDs can be inserted non-surgically for five-10 years and the woman can avoid a tubectomy.
“Health staff, nurses and gynaecologists are being trained by the family welfare department to create awareness about the use of IUCDs among women who come for delivery. This can also help check teenage or young age pregnancies by promoting spacing between children. Around 4 lakh IUCDs have been sanctioned for 23 districts and these will be distributed depending on the eligible population of each district,” added Dr Jayakumari.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Visakhapatnam / TNN / February 22nd, 2014