Awareness, Perceptions and Future Plan for Bilateral Tubal Ligation as a Method for Contraception in Pakistani Women

Mehvish Kanwal; Ishrat Irfani; Nayab Afzal; Erum Saba; Fehmida; Ammara Dahar

Mehvish Kanwal Consultant Gynecologist, United Hospital, Karachi.
Ishrat Irfani FCPS Gynecology, Assistant Professor Gynecology, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi.
Nayab Afzal FCPS Chemical Pathology. Consultant Chemical Pathologist, National Medical Centre, Karachi.
Erum Saba
Fehmida FCPS Gynecology, Consultant Gynecologist, Liyari General Hospital, Karachi.
Ammara Dahar 3rd year Resident,FCPS gynaecology Qatar Hospital, Karachi.

Keywords: contraception., bilateral tubal ligation

Abstract

Objective: To assess the awareness, perceptions, and future plan for bilateral tubal ligation as a method of contraception in Pakistani women

Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2021 to October 2021 at outpatient department of Obstetrics/Gynaecology, National Medical Center Karachi. Married women between the ages of 18-40 years were included in this study. A predesigned proforma regarding patient demographics, future plans, and questions regarding awareness and perceptions about bilateral tubal ligation as an option for contraception was filled by all participants.

Results: Total number of patients was 365; our results showed that the mean age was 29.71+5.96 years. Majority of the participants 289 (79.2%) did not plan to have BTL for contraception even after completion of their family. A significant proportion of women 282(77.26%) had already heard about BTL, and believed that it could cause negative effects on intercourse 267 (73.2%), menstrual abnormalities 281(77%) or weight gain 254(69.6%). Moreover, 309(84.7%) women thought that BTL was a 100% reliable and effective method for contraception. Women who had both a girl and a boy child were more open to the idea of having BTL in future. Level of education, age, better socioeconomic status, and history of complications in previous pregnancies had a positive correlation with a plan to have BTL after completion of the family.

Conclusion: The findings of his study concluded that although most Pakistani women were aware of BTL procedure they were not willing to use it as a method of contraception. The majority of the participants had wrong perceptions and believed in myths regarding BTL. Proper counseling of women of reproductive age must be done to spread correct information about the benefits of BTL.