Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41514278›Full record

ArticleContraception and reproductive medicine2026

Vasectomy knowledge, attitudes, and intentions among men in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Yonas Abebe, Diriba Bekele, Nagari Biratu Adugna, Nagasa Biratu Adugna

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Contraception and reproductive medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Yonas AbebeCollege of Health Science, School of Midwifery, Dilla University, Dilla, Ethiopia. yonigrace2020@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0006-2131-6591
Diriba BekeleSchool of Nursing and Midwifery, Wollega University, Nekemte, Ethiopia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0006-6501-7411
Nagari Biratu AdugnaAIRA General Hospital, Aira, Oromia, Ethiopia.
Nagasa Biratu AdugnaDambi Dollo University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Dambi Dollo, Ethiopia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundVasectomy is a highly effective (99.9%) and safe permanent family planning method for men. Despite these advantages, it remains one of the least utilized and most misunderstood contraceptive options. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to explore men’s knowledge, attitudes, and intentions toward vasectomy in Ethiopia by synthesizing scattered evidence to present a comprehensive national picture.

methodsThis systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted according to the Joanna Briggs Institute methodological guide and were reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We searched for relevant literature in major databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Scopus. Citation tracking and reference lists were also reviewed to ensure a complete search. The search was conducted from inception to 31 December 2024; the final search was run on 5 January 2025. Pooled prevalence estimates were calculated using the DerSimonian–Laird random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed with the Cochrane Q-test and the I² statistic, and publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots and Egger’s test. All analyses were performed using Stata version 17.

resultsOf the 393 articles initially identified, nine met the inclusion criteria, with a combined study population of 3,705 men. Only 39.8% (95% CI: 25.3–54.4) of men had good knowledge of vasectomy, 29.3% (95% CI: 16.8–41.7) had a positive attitude, and 20.8% (95% CI: 16.7–25.0) intention to use vasectomy. Higher education was linked to better knowledge, and having ≤ 4 children was associated with lower likelihood of having knowledge about vasectomy. Positive attitude toward vasectomy use was the strongest predictor of intention to use vasectomy.

conclusionAmong Ethiopian men, knowledge, attitudes, and intentions regarding vasectomy remain low. Educational attainment and family size play important roles in knowledge, and attitude is a key driver of intention. To boost vasectomy uptake, efforts must focus on dispelling myths, fostering positive perceptions, and encouraging male engagement in family planning decisions. REGISTRATION: This review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD420250634669).

Indexed as

AttitudeEthiopiaFamily planningIntentionKnowledgeMale sterilizationVasectomy

Identifiers

PMID41514278
PMCPMC12882196

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.