Female sterilization in Ramathibodi Hospital: 1987-1993
Intaraprasert, S.; Petcharaburanin, P.; Bullangpoti, W.; Chaturachinda, K.
Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand 79(9): 589-595
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0125-2208 PMID: 8996989 Document Number: 303478
A retrospective study of the 9968 female sterilizations performed in Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, during 1987-93 identified trends in utilization and methods selected. The annual number of procedures performed was highest in 1988 (1596 cases) and lowest in 1991 (1294 cases), with an overall trend of decline. The annual proportion of postpartum sterilizations ranged from 51% to 72% (average, 63%), while that of interval procedures ranged from 28% to 49% (average, 37%). The interval sterilization rate was highest in March and lowest in December. Minilaparotomy was used in 69.8% of interval sterilizations; the remaining 30.2% were performed by the laparoscopic technique. The mean age of women undergoing interval sterilization increased from 32.09 years in 1987 to 32.99 years in 1993, reflecting the rising age at marriage. The overall decline in female sterilizations at Ramathibodi Hospital is presumed to reflect the expanded availability of interval sterilization at other facilities and more widespread use of other long-term contraceptive methods (e.g., Norplant and long-acting IUDs).