[The sociological approach to vasectomized patient trajectories at the Buenos Aires University Clinical Hospital...

According to the Argentinian Ministry of Health records the number of patients requesting vasectomy increased twelve times in public hospitals in 2015-2019. The physicians and specialists account for this change in recent years, arguing, among other reasons, cultural change when male assumes active position in contraceptive methods. The article addresses vasectomized patient trajectory at the Buenos Aires University Clinical Hospital "José de San Martín". The purpose of the study was to define from sociological point of view if we are actually witnessing cultural change. While considering last ten years (2012-2022), through diachronic analysis of patient demand at the Male Fertility Laboratory (n=1136) it was found that although main motivation is fertility, minority (6%) consulting to confirm absence of sperm in the ejaculate following vasectomy increased significantly in 2022 (Pearson's chi-squared test p<0.0001). After qualitative/quantitative interviews of former patient group (n=36) two sub-populations were distinguished: childless (42%; Median age: 30 years old; range: 24-35) and those having a family (58%; Median age: 39 years old; range: 35-54). Most of them had University degree (67%) and learned about this anti-contraceptive method by the Internet. It is remarkable that 94% of them were not aware of the the Argentinian Law № 236139 of 2006 that grants their right to vasectomy. Among all patients randomly interviewed in 2022 (n=200) condom anti-contraceptive method was the best known (67%). The conclusion was made that in the meantime developed New Trend that comprises high educational level segment of population of Argentina that in the future can become the germ of Cultural Change encompassing the whole society.