Sterilization of women in Chile. Results of 2 samples of Valdivia and Santiago
Menanteau Horta, D.
Revista Chilena de Obstetricia y Ginecologia 44(1): 27-33
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0048-766X PMID: 552644 Document Number: 451437
The article compares and comments on the results of 2 surveys on female sterilizations conducted between 1971-75 in Valdivia, and in 1975 in Santiago, Chile. Sterilizations were performed either by laparoscopy, 32.3% of cases, or by the Pomeroy method, 67.7% of cases. Most women were married, about half from urban areas, of average age 34 and average parity 4.7, with low educational and socioeconomic status. Belief in the catholic faith did not influence attitude toward sterilization. Socioeconomic reasons were most often cited for seeking the procedure, since most contraceptive methods previously used had resulted in failure. The attitude of partners toward sterilization was favorable in about 75% of cases. Side effects were pain in 24% of cases; sexual relations seemed to be unchanged for the most part.