KNOWLEDGE AND ACCEPTABILITY OF BILATERAL TUBAL LIGATION AMONG ANTENATAL CLINIC ATENDEES IN USMANU DANFODIYO UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL SOKOTO.

Dr. Tunau Karima Abubakar* and Dr. Rashida Sulaiman

ABSTRACT

Background: Bilateral tubal ligation, is a surgical sterilization procedure that is a relatively simple, safe, and extremely effective in preventing future pregnancy. The procedure may be performed in the postpartum or post abortal period or as an interval operation. Aim: The purpose of the study was to investigate the knowledge and acceptance of bilateral tubal ligation (BTL) among women attending antenatal clinic at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at the ANC of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto from the 1st of April-30th August 2017. Patients were recruited after obtaining informed consent. A structured questionnaire was then administered and analysed to determine the factors that influenced uptake or not of BTL. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package Social Scientist (SPSS) version 21. Results: A total of 365 adequately filled questionnaires during the period of study were analysed. The findings showed that almost all the participants in the study were aware of family planning, out of which 148(40.5%) participants were aware of BTL as a method of family planning however only 9.3% knew what it entails and only 26.8% of the respondents accepted it as a family planning method. Majority (73.1%) did not accept BTL. Reasons given were: 27.4% for no reason, 17.8% wanted more children, 8.6% held religious beliefs against it,7.1% had uncertainty about the future and 2.7% feel the procedure is risky since it requires operation. Women of higher parity were more likely to accept BTL. Conclusion: The knowledge and acceptance of BTL was low in this study population. Improvement on female reproductive health education and counselling may help to dispel some of the misconceptions associated with the procedure.

Keywords: Sokoto, BTL, knowledge, contraception.