Sterilization acceptance and regret in Thailand

Area of Science:

• Demography
• Public Health
• Reproductive Health

Background:

• Sterilization prevalence in Thailand showed a steady increase until 1984, followed by a period of stagnation from 1984 to 1987.
• Understanding factors influencing sterilization acceptance and subsequent regret is crucial for reproductive health policy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze sterilization acceptance trends in Thailand using data from the 1987 Thai Demographic and Health Survey (DHS).
• To investigate factors associated with sterilization acceptance and the prevalence and correlates of regret among sterilized individuals.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from the 1987 Thai DHS to examine sterilization acceptance.
• Statistical analysis, including multiple classification analysis, to identify correlates of sterilization acceptance and regret.

Main Results:

• Sterilization prevalence increased with the number of children and maternal age.
• Education and wealth were positively associated with tubal ligation but not vasectomy.
• Hospital deliveries, especially cesarean sections, were linked to higher sterilization rates, suggesting the influence of medical facility access and health issues.
• Overall regret was 11%, with higher rates following female sterilization (12%) compared to male sterilization (8%), a difference sustained after controlling for covariates.

Conclusions:

• Factors such as parity, maternal age, socioeconomic status, and access to medical facilities significantly influence sterilization acceptance in Thailand.
• Regret following sterilization is more common when the woman undergoes the procedure, potentially due to perceived health consequences attributed to the surgery.