ISPUB.com / IJGO/13/1/6942
  • Author/Editor Login
  • Registration
  • Facebook
  • Google Plus

ISPUB.com

Internet
Scientific
Publications

  • Home
  • Journals
  • Latest Articles
  • Disclaimers
  • Article Submissions
  • Contact
  • Help
  • The Internet Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics
  • Volume 13
  • Number 1

Original Article

Minilaparotomy Female Sterilisation At A Nigerian Tertiary Health Centre

T Swende, B Akinbuwa

Keywords

female sterilisation, makurdi, maternal mortality, minilaparotomy

Citation

T Swende, B Akinbuwa. Minilaparotomy Female Sterilisation At A Nigerian Tertiary Health Centre. The Internet Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2009 Volume 13 Number 1.

Abstract


BACKGROUND: Female sterilisation has an important role to play in reducing the high rate of maternal mortality in developing countries.OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence, sociodemographic characteristics, timing, technique, type of anaesthesia, effectiveness and complications associated with minilaparotomy sterilization at the Federal Medical Centre Makurdi, Nigeria.METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the clinical records of 36 patients who accepted female sterilisation by minilaparotomy out of 1346 acceptors of contraceptive methods at the Federal Medical Centre Makurdi over a five year period between November 2002 and October 2007.RESULTS: The incidence of Minilaparotomy female sterilisation was 2.7%. Interval sterilisation was done for 72.2% of patients. Tubal occlusion was achieved with the modified Pomeroy’s technique in all patients. Heavy sedation was used in 69.4% of cases. Effectiveness was 100% with no mortality. Wound infection and anaesthetic complications each occurred in 5.5% of patients.CONCLUSION: Female sterilisation through Minilaparotomy is relatively low at the Federal Medical Centre Makurdi, Nigeria. Training of healthcare providers and scaling up counseling of patients for surgical contraception will improve acceptability.

 

Introduction

With present advances in contraceptive technology, surgical contraception stands out as the most popular and safest method of fertility control all over the world.1,2 The increasing desire for smaller families particularly in the developed nations coupled with the availability of relatively simple and safe methods of sterilisation, and increasing resistance to prolonged use of oral contraceptives have encouraged an increase in demand for female sterilisation over the less permanent and less invasive non surgical contraceptive techniques.3,4,5

Unfortunately, female sterilisation is practiced only on a limited scale in most developing countries.3 This is probably due to the great desire for large families, limited availability of the method, aversion to operative procedures as well as the permanent nature of the method.3,5,6 Religious opposition and legal restrictions are also contributory facrors.7 While the prevalence of sterilisation is as high as 31.3 % in married women of reproductive age in the United States8, Nigeria had one of the lowest female surgical contraception rates in the world with less than 1 % of women over 35 yrs using surgical contraception1 though recent reviews in Nigeria have reported an incidence of 1 - 3.15 % at best.7,9

Increased usage of contraception has direct effects on maternal deaths by reducing the number of pregnancies.10-12 Female sterilisation has an important role to play in the reduction of the currently high maternal deaths in developing countries.7 Recently, a hospital based study in Makurdi, North Central Nigeria reported a maternal mortality ratio of 4408 / 10000 deliveries.13

Though a high maternal mortality ratio has been documented in Makurdi13, this is the first attempt at reviewing female surgical sterilisation by minilaparotomy in Makurdi. The information revealed by this study, though retrospective in nature, will highlight the current state of female sterilisation by Minilaparotomy in Makurdi and possibly serve to stimulate future research.

Materials And Methods

This was a retrospective descriptive study of all female patients who had surgical sterilisation by minilaparotomy at the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, Nigeria over a five year period, between November 2002 and October 2007. The clinical records of the patients were retrieved from the medical and theatre records of the hospital. Information extracted included age, parity, educational and marital status, indication, type of bilateral tubal ligation (BTL), method employed, indication for tubal ligation, anaesthesia used and complications. Additionally, the total number of voluntary surgical sterilisation done and other forms of contraception offered to patients during the study period was obtained from the Family Planning, Medical and Theatre records. The data was entered and analysed using Epi info.

Results

There were 78 female patients who had bilateral tubal ligation out of 1346 acceptors of family planning methods during the period of review. Of these, 37 (47.4 %) had the procedure done at Caesarean section, 36 (46.2 %) had the procedure through Minilaparotomy while 5 (6.4 %) were offered tubal ligation at laparotomy for ruptured uterus. The incidence of bilateral tubal ligation through Minilaparotomy was 2.7 %. No patient had laparoscopic bilateral tubal ligation during the period of review.

The age of patients accepting bilateral tubal ligation through minilaparotomy ranged from 27 – 43 years with a mean age of 35.5 ± 3.1 years. The parity of patients ranged from 4 – 10 with a mean parity of 7.2 ± 1.2. No patient with parity of 3 and below was sterilized. Majority of the patients 35 (97.2 %) were grand multiparous. (Table I). The number of surviving children among women accepting bilateral tubal ligation ranged between 5 and 9 with a mean of 6.7. Majority of patients 30 (83.3 %) accepting bilateral tubal ligation had formal education while 6 (16.7 %) had no formal education (Table I). All patients accepting this method were married and of the Christian faith.

Figure 1
TABLE I - Sociodemographic Characteristics Of The 36 Patients Who Had Bilateral Tubal Ligation By Minilaparotomy

Of the 36 acceptors of bilateral tubal ligation through minilaparotomy, 31 (86.1 %) willfully requested for the procedure without been counseled, while 5 (13.9 %) were counseled and referred for the procedure by a physician or a nurse (Table II). Completed family size was the indication for the procedure in all acceptors.

Figure 2
TABLE II – Referral For Bilateral Tubal Ligation By Minilaparotomy

Most of the patients 26 (72.2 %) had interval sterilisation. Tubal ligation was performed using the modified Pomeroy’s technique in all acceptors (Table III).

Local anaesthesia alone was used in 5 (13.9 %) patients, local anaesthesia with mild sedation in 6 (16.7 %) patients and heavy sedation in 25 (69.4 %) patients (Table III).

Figure 3
TABLE III – Timing And Type Of Anaesthesia

Complications attributable to the procedure occurred in 4 (11.1 %) patients. Wound infection occurred in 2 (5.6 %) patients, vomiting and hallucination in 1 (2.8 %) patient. The effectiveness of the method during the period of review was 100 % with no mortality recorded.

Discussion

Female surgical contraception is the most widely accepted method of family planning today,14,15,16 with over 180 million women of reproductive age worldwide using it.7 In contrast, the incidence of female surgical contraception at the Federal Medical Centre Makurdi was 2.7%. This was however in keeping with the variously reported low acceptance of this method in Nigeria.2,5,6,9,17 The comparatively low incidence of female surgical contraception may be due to low awareness coupled with sociocultural and psychological aversions towards permanent cessation of childbearing through tubal ligation.1

This study revealed a mean age of 35.5 years and a mean parity of 7.2 for acceptors of female sterilisation by minilaparotomy. These findings were similar to earlier studies in sub-Saharan Africa.2,3,5,6,7,18,19,20 A possible explanation is that women who should ideally be using a permanent method opt for reversible methods of contraception out of fear of reincarnation without fallopian tubes, death of spouse and surgery.21 This however contrasts with findings in developed countries, Asia and the Far East where couples elect to limit their families at younger ages.22,23

The high parity of acceptors may be a reflection of the tendency to multiparity in African communities and the uncertainty of survival of children in view of the high perinatal and infant mortality in Nigeria.24,25 The mean number of surviving children among acceptors of sterilisation by Minilaparotomy was 6.7. This finding was in agreement with previous studies in Nigeria24,26 as acceptors consider this a reassuring factor.Whereas majority of patients 30 (83.3 %) accepting bilateral tubal ligation had formal education, 6 (16.7 %) had no formal education, thus suggesting that education may play a major role in the acceptance of voluntary surgical contraception.26

All 36 patients in this study were married. Being married in a stable relationship reduces the incidence of regret in permanent methods of contraception.27

All patients who were sterilized in this study were Christians. In Jos and Ibadan, Christians made up 79.7 % and 80 % respectively of patients.2,26 The fact that Makurdi is a predominantly populated by Christians may explain this finding.

Majority of patients offered bilateral tubal ligation through Minilaparotomy willfully requested for the procedure without being referred. Only 5 (13.9 %) of patients were referred for the procedure by a physician or a nurse. This may suggest that female sterilisation as a method of contraception is not popular among health care providers in the centre.

Majority of patients (72.2 %) had tubal ligation done as an interval procedure. This finding was in agreement with other studies in Nigeria.2,7 The modified Pomeroy technique was used in all patients in this study. The technique is widely used because of its simplicity and minimal failure rates.28

Whereas local anaesthesia is the most commonly used anaesthetic regimen worldwide,20,29,30 only 30.6 % of patients in this review had local anaesthesia. Majority of patients (69.4%) had the procedure done under heavy sedation which carries greater anaesthetic risk.7

No major surgical complication was encountered in this review. This was not surprising as major surgical complications are uncommon, occurring in less than 1 % of procedures.18,31,32 Minor complications of wound infection occurred in 5.6 % of patients in this study. This was higher than 3.85 %7 but less than 7.5 %3 of patients reported in Benin and Ilorin respectively. The anaesthetic complications of vomiting and hallucination occurred in 5.6 % of patients. This was higher than 1.94 % reported in Benin.7 The use of heavy sedation in majority of patients may account for this.

There was no case of pregnancy following female sterilisation by Minilaparotomy in this study. Female sterilisation if performed correctly is one of the most effective contraceptive methods available.7 Recently, an eleven year review of failed female sterilisation in Ile-Ife, Nigeria reported a crude failure rate of 0.75 %9 which was within the reported range of 0.2 – 0.9 %.33,34,35

Conclusion

In conclusion, female sterilisation through minilaparotomy at the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, Nigeria is relatively low but safe and effective. For female sterilisation to be acceptable in the centre, more attention would have to be given to education and broad based enlightenment of both patients and health care providers on the method. Reliance on local anaesthesia mainly rather than heavy sedation will minimize the anaesthetic complications.

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Dr. Terumbur Abwa for thoroughly proof reading this article.

References

1. Omu AS, Akagbosu F. Voluntary surgical contraception, attitudes, knowledge and practices. University of Benin Teaching Hospital Studies. Trop J Obstet Gynaecol. 1990; 2: 22-26
2. Otubu JAM, Towobola OA, Aisien AO, Da’or R, Uguru VE. Female sterilisation by Minilaparotomy. The JUTH experience. Trop J Obstet Gynaecol. 1990; 2: 26-28
3. Adetoro OO. Female surgical contraception at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital Ilorin, Nigeria. Trop J Obstet Gynaecol. 1990; 2: 29-31
4. Chi IC, Jones DB. Incidence, risk factors and prevention of post sterilisation regret in women. An updated international review from an epidemiological perspective. Obstet Gynaecol Surv. 1994; 49: 722-732
5. Ogunniyi SO, Faleyimu BL, Ifaturoti O. Female surgical contraception in Ile-Ife: an eight-year review. Nig Med Pract. 1991; 21: 72-74
6. Otolorin EO, Ladipo OA, Ojo OA. Outpatient interval female sterilisation at the University College Hospital Ibadan, Nigeria. Afr J Med Sci. 1985; 14: 3-9
7. Aisien AO, Oronsaye AU. Two decades of Minilaparotomy female sterilisation at the University of BeninTeaching Hospital. Niger Postgrad Med J. 2007; 67-71
8. Centre for disease control: Sterilisation. In: Family Planning Methods and Practice – Africa. United States Department of Health and Human Services, Division of reproductive health, Atlanta 1983; 253-272
9. Fasubaa OB, Ezechi OC, Isawumi AI, Orji EO, Ogunniyi SO. An eleven year review of failed female sterilisation in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Trop J Obstet Gynaecol. 2001; 8-11
10. Royston E, Armstrong S. Preventing maternal deaths. World Health Organization Geneva; 1989; 1-15
11. Herz S, Measham AR. The safe motherhood initiative. Proposals for action. Washington, D.C. World Bank, Washington D.C.1987; 1-20
12. Fortney JA. The importance of family planning in reducing maternal mortality. Stud Fam Plann. 1987; 18 109-114
13. Ochejele S, Adama O, Daru PH. Contribution of direct obstetric complications to maternal deaths in Makurdi, North Central Nigeria. Trop J Obstet Gynaecol. 2005; 22: 37 – 38.
14. UNDP/UNFPA/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP) The intrauterine device (IUD) – worth singing about. Progress in Reproductive Health research. 2002; 60: 1 – 8.
15. Blackburn RD, Cunkelman JA, Zlidar VM. Oral contraceptives – An update. Pop Rep. 1995; Series A: No 9: 1 – 39.
16. Lande RE. New era for injectables. Pop Rep. 1995; Series K. No 5: 1 – 31.
17. Ross JA, Hong S, Huber DH. Voluntary sterilisation. An international fact book. 1st edition. Association for Voluntary Sterilisation. New York. 1985. 1- 150.
18. Aisien AO, Ujah IAO, Mutihir JT, Guful F. Fourteen years experience in voluntary female sterilisation through Minilaparotomy in Jos, Nigeria. Contraception 1999; 60: 249 – 252.
19. Ogedengbe OK, Giwa – Osagie OF, Adeyemi MA. Interval out patient female sterilisation in Lagos. Contraception. 1987; 35 (6): 581 – 590.
20. Mutihir JT, Aisien AO, Ujah IA. Anaesthetic experience in female sterilisation at Jos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. East Afr Med J 2007; 84 (8): 374 – 378.
21. Ogedengbe OK, Giwa – Osagie OF, Usifoh CA. The attitude of fertile Nigerian women to sterilisation. Biology and Society. 1990; 7 (3): 135 – 138.
22. ENGENDERHEALTH. Contraceptive sterilisation. Global issues and trends. 1st edition. Automated Graphic Systems; Inc USA. 2002; 1 – 204.
23. Mutihir JT, Aisien AO, Ujah IAO. A review of bilateral tubal ligation at caesarean section in Jos, Nigeria. Niger Postgrad Med J. 2007; 252 – 255.
24. Ekwempu CC. The realities of VSC service at Zaria – Management, sociocultural and medical issues. Trop J Obstet Gynaecol. 1990; 2: 35 – 36.
25. Aisien AO, Lawson JO, Okolo A. Two years prospective study of perinatal mortality in Jos, Nigeria. Int J Gynecol Obstet 2000; 71 (2): 171 – 173.
26. Osuntogun EA. Female Sterilisation. A general hospital experience in Ibadan. Trop J Obstet Gynaecol. 1990; 31 – 32.
27. Church CA, Geller JS. Voluntary female sterilisation. Number one and growing. Pop Rep 1990; series C: No 10: 1 – 24.
28. Liskin L, Rhinehart W, Blackburn R, Rutledge AH. Female sterilisation. Pop Rep 1985; series C: No 9: C1 – C 167.
29. Aisien AO, Olarewaju RS, Ujah IAO, Mutihir JT, Sagay AS. Anaesthesia for Minilaparotomy female sterilisation in JUTH, Nigeria. A fourteen year review. Afr J Med Sci 2001; 30: 119 – 121.
30. Pati S, Cullins V. Female sterilisation. Evidence. Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America 2000; 27 (4): 859 – 899.
31. Chi IC, Potts M, Wilkens L. Rare events associated with tubal sterilisation. An international experience. Obstetrical and Gynaecological Survey. 1986; 41 (1): 7 – 19.
32. Ruminjo JK, Ngugi F. Safety issues in voluntary female surgical contraception. J Obstet Gynaecol East Cent Afr. 1993; 11: 24 – 28.
33. Ruminjo JK, Lynam PF. A fifteen year review of female sterilisation by Minilaparotomy under local anaesthesia in Kenya. Contraception. 1997; 55 (4): 249 – 260.
34. Aisien AO, Mutihir JT, Ujah IAO, Sagay AS, Imade GE. Fifteen years analysis of complications following Minilaparotomy female sterilisation in Jos, Nigeria. Niger Postgrad Med J. 2002; 9 (31): 118 – 122.
35. Intaraprasert S, Sugkraoek P, Chaturachinda K. Failure of female sterilisation at Ramathibodi Hospital. A 20 year review 1969 – 1988. J Med Assoc Thi. 1993; 76: 31 - 35

Author Information

Terrumun Z. Swende, MBBS, FWACS
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal Medical Centre Makurdi, Nigeria.

Barbara A. Akinbuwa, MBBS
Department of Family Medicine, Federal Medical Centre Makurdi, Nigeria.

Download PDF

Your free access to ISPUB is funded by the following advertisements:

 

BACK TO TOP
  • Facebook
  • Google Plus

© 2013 Internet Scientific Publications, LLC. All rights reserved.    UBM Medica Network Privacy Policy