Acceptability of reversible versus permanent tubal sterilization: an analysis of preliminary data

Data regarding the acceptability of reversible versus permanent tubal ligation were randomly collected from 147 ever-married, obstetrics-gynecology patients of reproductive age during a pilot study in 1977. Subjects were potential candidates for sterilization in that none was medically or contraceptively sterile, nor married to a vasectomized male. The research questionnaire designed for this study elicited basic sociodemographic data and attitudinal information with respect to both permanent and hypothetically reversible tubal ligation. Responses toward both procedures were compared and analyzed for statistically significant differences. Results indicate that approval of, serious interest in, intention eventually to undergo, and immediate demand for tubal ligation would be increased by 30%, 85%, 171%, and 92%, respectively, if reversible procedures were available. All increases were statistically significant at P less than 0.001. It is concluded that if results from the larger ongoing study confirm those of the pilot study, they will provide support for biomedical research in this area.