Although family planning measures can be taken by both males and females, a man adopting the long-term methods of birth control, namely vasectomy, is an alien concept in Doti.

In a family planning camp held in Durgamandu, KI Singh Rural Municipality-4, on Tuesday, Bhim Bista, a local, was the only male who underwent a vasectomy.

Doctors said that a majority of men brush off the idea of family planning due to the misconceptions that such birth control measures have an adverse effect on their health. According to the Family Planning Association, only 21 men got vasectomies in the district this fiscal year. Around 93 women opted for mini-laparotomy (Mini lap), an hour-long tubectomy procedure for female sterilisation, in free family planning camps conducted in the district in the current fiscal year.

Sunita Air, 26, a volunteer at the camp, said that she had undergone the procedure after seeking her husband’s permission. “I have already given birth to two sons and one daughter,” she said.

Dr Bibek Lekhak said that long-term methods of birth control do not have adverse effects on men’s health. “The surgery is easier for men than women. People should have proper information about the methods of birth control for both the sexes,” said Lekhak.