A follow-up study of tubectomy acceptors in Bikaner
Joshi, C.K.; Maheshwari, S.; Soangara, M.R.
Journal of the Indian Medical Association 73(1): 1-4
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5847 PMID: 536594 Document Number: 446933
A follow-up study was conducted among 116 acceptors of female sterilization in Bikaner, India. It was found that the acceptors were younger, more often Hindu, more literate, had husbands who were more literate, were more often employed, and were more likely to have busbands in the service class group than the general population. All of these differences between acceptors and the general population were statistically significant. Although more than 90% of the women had knowledge of some other method of contraception, only 33.6% had actually used any other method. More than 80% of the sterilizations were performed postpartum. The fact that none of the women resumed sexual relations during the 1st month postoperative and only 6% between 1 and 2 months indicates the unnecessary cautiousness these women displayed. An increase in weight was a favorable side effect in almost 40% of the cases. The complaints were vague and could be due to other causes. The study indicates that an increase in female employment could help increase adoption of sterilization. Women are often making the decision for sterilization without their husbands' knowledge or consent. The wide gap between contraceptive knowledge and practice points up a need for more motivational effort by family planning workers.