A qualitative study of barriers to postpartum sterilization and women's attitudes toward unfulfilled sterilization requests

Abstract Background This longitudinal, qualitative study explores barriers to postpartum sterilization from the perspective of low-income minority women. We examine women's feelings and attitudes regarding a canceled or postponed procedure over time. Study Design We conducted structured, in-dep...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Contraception (Stoneham) 2008, Vol.77 (1), p.44-49
Main Authors: Gilliam, Melissa, Davis, Shawna D, Berlin, Amy, Zite, Nikki B
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Attitude to Health
Biological and medical sciences
Birth control
Contraceptive decision making
Contraceptive self-efficacy
Decision Making
Female
Genital system. Reproduction
Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics
Hospitals, University
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Longitudinal Studies
Medical sciences
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Other methods of contraception. Sterilization
Patient Participation
Personal Autonomy
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Postnatal Care
Postpartum contraception
Poverty Areas
Pregnancy
Satisfaction
Sterilization
Sterilization, Reproductive - psychology
Sterilization, Reproductive - utilization
Sterilization, Tubal - psychology
Sterilization, Tubal - utilization
Tubal ligation
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Abstract Background This longitudinal, qualitative study explores barriers to postpartum sterilization from the perspective of low-income minority women. We examine women's feelings and attitudes regarding a canceled or postponed procedure over time. Study Design We conducted structured, in-depth baseline interviews with 34 postpartum women with unfulfilled sterilization requests in a university hospital setting. Follow-up phone interviews were conducted at 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum. Results Reasons for unfulfilled sterilization requests included last-minute misgivings, maternal medical complications, lack of a valid Medicaid consent form, fear of the procedure and provider influence. Sense of autonomy regarding sterilization decision making and ability to obtain interval sterilization or initiate and/or successfully use reversible contraception influenced subsequent attitudes regarding an unfulfilled request. Conclusions Sterilization counseling should include comprehensive information regarding the surgical procedure and associated risks and the development of a backup contraceptive plan, with particular emphasis on increasing contraceptive self-efficacy and autonomy in sterilization decision making.
ISSN:0010-7824
1879-0518
DOI:10.1016/j.contraception.2007.09.011