Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 21, 2026

Preparation and Maintenance of Bioexclusion IsoPositive Cage Experiment for Human Fecal Transplantation into Germ-Free Mice
Published on: February 28, 2025
Sterilisation of intellectually disabled women
Objective:
To point out the proportion of intellectually disabled women (IDW) who are sterilised, and the medical and social factors associated with an increased probability to be sterilised.
Study Design:
A population-based study among 97% of IDW aged 18-46, attending government-accredited institutions in the region of Brussels-Capital and the province of Walloon Brabant (Belgium).
Results:
Among the IDW included in this study, 22.2% are sterilised, which is superior to the 7% in the general Belgian population. Factors associated with an increased probability to be sterilised are: living in an institution, having a higher intellectual quotient (IQ), being enrolled in an institution where sexual intercourse is authorised and attending an institution where contraception is required. The last three factors are significant only among women living in institutions and the last two, only in women with severe disability. Among IDW using contraception, no factor was associated with a greater probability to be sterilised.
Conclusion:
The prevalence of sterilisation among IDW is three times higher than that in the Belgian population and it is mainly correlated with factors related to the institution where these women live, especially the severely disabled.
Related Concept Videos
Methods of Sterilization I: Physical Methods
Steam sterilization uses non-toxic, low-cost moist heat in the form of saturated steam under pressure, which is fast, microbicidal, and sporicidal, and quickly warms and penetrates fabrics. Autoclaves, or steam sterilizers, expose each item to direct steam contact for a predetermined time at the necessary...
Methods of Sterilization II: Chemical Methods
Using chemical sterilization rather than heat to clean out equipment is recommended. It eradicates and removes all bacteria,...
Cleaning, Sterilization, and Disinfection
Cleaning
The cleaning process usually involves using water with detergents or enzymatic cleaner and removing foreign material from objects and surfaces, including organic material such as body fluids or inorganic material like soil. Cleaning is performed before high-level disinfection and sterilization because foreign materials on the cover of the devices interfere with process...
Intellectual Disability
Physical Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth: Temperature
Physical Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth: Radiation and Filtration

