Ward B, Sellke N, Rhodes S, Sun H, Tay K, Abou Ghayda R, Thirumavalavan N, Loeb A. Driving Time and Compliance With Postvasectomy Semen Analysis Drop-Off.
Urology 2024;
184:1-5. [PMID:
38065311 DOI:
10.1016/j.urology.2023.11.027]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Current literature demonstrates low rates of compliance with postvasectomy semen analysis (PVSA). This study sought to determine factors that correlate with noncompliance with PVSA.
METHODS
A retrospective chart review was conducted for patients who underwent vasectomy within our institution. ArcGIS was used to securely calculate the shortest driving time from each patient's home to the single PVSA drop-off site. Kruskal-Wallis and chi-square tests analyzed characteristics of patients who did and did not submit PVSA samples, and odds ratios were calculated via multivariable logistic regression.
RESULTS
Overall, 515 of 850 patients met inclusion criteria and 219 (42.5%) of these had no recorded PVSA. Of those with a PVSA, 59% were completed within 16 weeks. Compliance with PVSA was associated with a shorter median driving time (30.6 minutes vs 34.2 minutes), more vasectomy in the operating room (19% vs 10%), and attending a follow-up appointment (40% vs 17%) (P < .005 for all). Age at vasectomy, race, ethnicity, BMI, paternity, and location of preoperative consultation did not significantly differ between the groups. Each 30 minutes of driving time was associated with a 48% reduction in the odds of a patient submitting PVSA at any time (OR 0.52 [0.37, 0.73]).
CONCLUSION
As driving time to a drop-off center appears to be a significant barrier to PVSA compliance, providers should consider alternative collection methods such as at-home or in-office semen analysis.
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