Female sterilization in Ramathibodi Hospital: 1969-1986
Intaraprasert, S.; O-Prasertsawat, P.; Sugkraroek, P.; Poomarporn, O.A.; Chaturachinda, K.
Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand 71 Suppl. 1: 45-50
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0125-2208 PMID: 3418267 Document Number: 314941
In a study that collected data from 1969-1986 on female sterilization at the Ramathibodi hospital in Thailand, trends and fluctuations in the number and types of sterilization were reviewed. The yearly number of female sterilization cases increased from 77 in 1969 to 1,925 cases in 1973. After 1973, the number of annual cases approximated 2,000 until 1980 and dropped to 1,582 cases in 1986. In the 18-year interval studied, the total number of cases was 27,788. Of 2 types of sterilization, 11,781 (42.4%) of the patients received a postpartum sterilization and 16,007 (57.6%) of the patients received an interval sterilization. Of the 2 methods of interval sterilization available, most cases were done by laparoscopy with more cases being done by the minilaparotomy after a training program was established. A rising number of postpartum sterilizations was observed in response to departmental policy allowing for sterilization after the 2nd rather than the 3rd child. The peaks in number of interval sterilizations were from March through June--the same months as non-harvest season and school holiday.