Trends in vasectomy and sexually transmitted diseases in Chile: findings from robust national databases

A controversy about the increase or decline of vasectomy is emerging; however, the evidence is still scarce in Latin America. This ecological study analyzed the vasectomy and sexual transmitted diseases (STD) trends over a period of 10 years in Chile and determined if there is any relationship betwe...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Toledo, Daniela, Urquidi, Cinthya, Sepúlveda-Peñaloza, Alejandro, Leyton, Rodrigo
Format: article
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2024
Country:Brasil
Institution:Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ)
Repository:Cadernos de Saúde Pública
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:ojs.teste-cadernos.ensp.fiocruz.br:article/8537
Online Access:https://cadernos.ensp.fiocruz.br/ojs/index.php/csp/article/view/8537
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Vasectomia; HIV; Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis
Vasectomía; VIH; Enfermedades de Transmisión Sexual
Vasectomy; HIV; Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Description
Summary:A controversy about the increase or decline of vasectomy is emerging; however, the evidence is still scarce in Latin America. This ecological study analyzed the vasectomy and sexual transmitted diseases (STD) trends over a period of 10 years in Chile and determined if there is any relationship between them. We conducted a mixed ecological study using secondary and representative data on the number of vasectomies and STD cases from 2008 to 2017. Vasectomy rates were calculated for age-specific groups of men aged 20-59 years, and specific STD (HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, and syphilis) for the same period. Multivariate negative binomial regression models were fitted to evaluate rate trends and relationships. The mean vasectomy age was 40.3 years, with no significant differences between the years of the study (p = 0.058). The overall vasectomy rate significantly increased from 2008 to 2017 (p < 0.001), with differences between age groups (p < 0.001). The most significant increase was observed in men aged 30-49 (p < 0.001). The STD rates significantly increased (p < 0.05) during the study period. A significant positive correlation was found between vasectomy and gonorrhea incidence rates (p = 0.008) and an inverse correlation was found with hepatitis B incidence rates (p = 0.002). Vasectomy trends and STD rates significantly increased from 2018 to 2017 in Chile. especially among men aged 30-49 years. The relationship between vasectomy and STD increments suggests a new risk factor for reproductive and sexual health policies to aid controlling the HIV and STD epidemic.