Female surgical sterilization at University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin: 10-year review

Received: April 18th, 2012 Accepted for Publication: May 13th, 2012 ABSTRACT -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Background: Given technological advances over the past few decades, female surgical sterilization has become a safe, convenient, easy, and highly effective birth control method for the long term. Objective: This study aims at determining the uptake, indications, timing, surgical technique and complications of voluntary surgical sterilization in Ilorin. Methodology: A retrospective study involving all clients who have undergone female sterilization by mini-laparotomy at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital Family Planning Clinic between January 2002 and December 2011. Clinical data were retrieved from the case notes and the information obtained was analyzed with SPSS version 16 of the computer. All the case notes had adequate information for the study, and none was missing. Results: There were 25,418 deliveries with 205 cases of female surgical sterilizations out of which 95 were through mini-laparotomy, giving an incidence of 8% and 3.7 per 1000 deliveries, respectively. The mean age at sterilization was 38.9years. Grand-multiparity and completed family size were the main indications. Seventy-nine percent of the clients had interval procedure and Pomeroy’s method was used among 70.5% of the clients. Local infiltration was used for most (60%) of the clients. Complication attributable to the procedures occurred in 5.3% of the clients. These include, wound sepsis (2.1%), urinary tract infection (1.05%) and one failed sterilization (1.1%). Conclusion: Concerted efforts at female reproductive health education and counseling will help to dispel some of the rumours and misconceptions associated with the procedure.