A survey of sterilization acceptors in a family planning program in rural Bangladesh

Abstract

The results of a survey of 275 Bangladeshi women who were sterilized at a rural family planning clinic are presented. The survey comprised two interviews of each woman: one conducted immediately prior to the sterilization procedure and the second conducted one month after each woman was sterilized. Sociodemographic data were gathered for the survey from the patients' clinic records. Reasons for the choice of sterilization and sociodemographic impact of the procedure are discussed, as are implications of the results on other rural family planning programs.

PIP: 275 Bangladeshi women who were sterilized at a rural family planning clinic were surveyed. 1 interview was conducted immediately prior to the sterilization procedure and the 2nd interview was conducted 1 month after the sterilization. Sociodemographic data were gathered for the survey from the patients' clinic records. The clinic records showed that 1 in 4 clients was younger than age 30 and 1 in 10 was older than age 40. 1/3 of the acceptors had children under 12 months and 27% had children 1-2 years old. The average number of living children was almost 5 but more than 1/3 had fewer than 4 children. 55.1% of the acceptors had used some form of contraception prior to the acceptance of sterilization. Prior to the sterilization, 81.4% of the women turned to their female relatives, usually sisters-in-law, to discuss the procedure. The major single concern, cited by 49.5% of the women in discussion of the method, was the operation's impact on the physical activities of the woman. The response and attitude of the sisters-in-law and other female relatives with whom the operation was discussed was positive in 86.5% of cases. Results of the 1st interview with the clients suggested a pattern leading to acceptance of sterilization. After the sterilization, 81.5% of the clients reported that they were able to conduct their usual household work immediately after returning home. 78.9% of the women did not experience any side effects; 11.3% had vague complaints and 2.2% had induration or inflammation at the surgical incision site. The mean time of resumption of regular sexual relations was 27 days after sterilization