K E Jack1, C R Chao. 1. School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine changes in prevalence and acceptance of sterilization methods in a developing country from 1986 to 1990. METHOD: Data from 5182 voluntary female sterilizations performed at 52 service sites in Nigeria were retrospectively reviewed for sterilization method, anesthesia technique, demographic factors, and patient acceptance. RESULTS: The annual number of sterilization procedures increased dramatically over this period from 688 in 1986 to 1911 in 1989. Overall, 74.3% of the procedures were performed by minilaparotomy under local anesthesia (ML/LA), 6% by laparoscopy/general anesthesia, and 19.7% by laparatomy/general anesthesia. ML/LA was found to be a very safe method, with a complication rate of 1.4%. 98.6% of ML/LA patients expressed complete satisfaction with the procedure. CONCLUSION: Female sterilization increased in acceptance in Nigeria over the period 1986-1990 concomitant with the increased use of ML/LA. This approach is safe, cost-effective, and appropriate for the developing world.
OBJECTIVE: To examine changes in prevalence and acceptance of sterilization methods in a developing country from 1986 to 1990. METHOD: Data from 5182 voluntary female sterilizations performed at 52 service sites in Nigeria were retrospectively reviewed for sterilization method, anesthesia technique, demographic factors, and patient acceptance. RESULTS: The annual number of sterilization procedures increased dramatically over this period from 688 in 1986 to 1911 in 1989. Overall, 74.3% of the procedures were performed by minilaparotomy under local anesthesia (ML/LA), 6% by laparoscopy/general anesthesia, and 19.7% by laparatomy/general anesthesia. ML/LA was found to be a very safe method, with a complication rate of 1.4%. 98.6% of ML/LA patients expressed complete satisfaction with the procedure. CONCLUSION: Female sterilization increased in acceptance in Nigeria over the period 1986-1990 concomitant with the increased use of ML/LA. This approach is safe, cost-effective, and appropriate for the developing world.