Does socioeconomic factors and healthcare coverage affect postpartum sterilization uptake in an urban, tertiary hospital?

Abstract

Plain Language Summary Postpartum sterilization is an effective and popular method of contraception. In our hospital, postpartum sterilization is easily accessible compared to other countries where there are barriers such as mandatory waiting time, limited operating rooms and anesthesiologists. We examine factors that affect sterilization rates and found that older women and women with more children were more likely to choose postpartum sterilization. We also found that women who delivered by cesarean section were more likely to choose sterilization. Interestingly, whether the woman’s healthcare plan covers postpartum sterilization does not affect the likelihood of sterilization.

Keywords

• Female sterilization
• Health coverage
• Contraceptives
• Postpartum sterilization