A baseline audit of post-vasectomy follow-up at three Cape Town district health facilities.

BACKGROUND

Our study focuses on vasectomies, an underutilised contraception method worldwide. Little is known about post-vasectomy semen analysis (PVSA) adherence in our setting, which is an essential step in confirming the procedure's success. We aimed to describe patient adherence to post-vasectomy follow-up and the success of procedures performed by different surgeon categories at three Cape Town district health facilities.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective descriptive audit. We extracted sociodemographic and procedural information from theatre records and patient folders. The PVSA results were retrieved from Groote Schuur Hospital's Reproductive Medicine Unit.

RESULTS

The records of 270 patients who underwent vasectomies in local district-level facilities from September 2016 to July 2021 were included. Only 122 (45.2%) semen analysis results were retrievable, of which 115 (94.2%) showed that the procedure was successful. Incomplete patient records significantly impacted the study. A data-collection instrument and implementing standardised stationery were developed, which some sites already use. These measures are designed to ensure more comprehensive datasets for future audits.

CONCLUSION

The study's findings have identified flaws in record-keeping practices at the three study sites, a crucial step towards improving post-vasectomy care. Tracking procedural success and patient adherence to post-vasectomy semen analyses using the implemented stationery may assist future research and help drive quality improvement projects.Contribution: This audit strengthens our understanding of improving this underutilised family planning option in the district health services. In partnership with the local teams, a revised clinical care pathway was developed to inform the delivery of an evidence-informed vasectomy service.