[Female sterilization in Burkina Faso. Report of 142 cases]

Through a transversal study over a twelve month period, the authors report 142 cases of female sterilization (FS) in Burkina Faso. The aims of this study were to determine the profile of women undergoing FS and to precise the indications and the immediate outcome. The study took place in the two main gynecologic and obstetric units of the country. Various data about the socio-demographic characteristics of the women, their reproductive history, the indications for the FS and the short term follow up were recorded. The woman undergoing tubal ligation (TL) is 36 years old, gravida 7 para 7 with 5 children (3 boys for 2 girls). Her occupation is housewifery, she is married and is illiterate in 84.4% of the cases. This woman has no prior history of contraceptive use in 71% of the cases. FS was performed for medical reasons in 50% of the cases whereas economic reason was invoked by only 5% of the couples. Prior to the TL oral informed consent was obtained from both the woman and her husband. The TL was performed during caesarean section in 55.6%, in the postpartum period in 34.5% of the cases. Two wound abscesses occurred. With a follow up ranging from 2 to 14 months, no pregnancy has been reported. To give a chance to FS to be popular in Burkina Faso, the authors made some suggestions.