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  • Title: [Premature recourse to tubal ligation in Quebec: some undesirable consequences?].
    Author: Marcil-gratton N.
    Journal: Sociol Soc; 1987 Apr; 19(1):83-95. PubMed ID: 12315211.
    Abstract:
    Currently over 40% of fertile aged couples in Quebec have chosen voluntary sterilization as a fertility control method, and it is estimated that nearly 70% of women will be protected by sterilization before the natural end of their reproductive years. Under these circumstances the probability arises that some proportion will come to regret their decision to seek sterilization. Telephone interviews with 497 randomly selected sterilized women aged 25-44 in the Montreal area in 1985 provided data on their degree of satisfaction with their decisions. The response rate of 67.5% exceeded the expected 60% and the women were similar in characteristics to those of other samples of sterilized women. Some bias may however have been introduced if there were systematic differences in the women not responding. 2 questions were asked to provide estimates of women regretting the sterilization because they would have liked another child. The women were asked if they subsequently regretted their sterilization because they might have wanted another child. Those answering affirmatively were asked if they thought they would actually have attempted pregnancy. A positive answer to the 2nd question was used as the indicator of regret. The results indicated that physicians' estimates of regret are seriously underestimated. 3.9% of the sample said they had discussed the possibility of a reversal with their physicians, but a much higher 21.2% said they had felt regret without openly expressing it to their physician. 12.7% said they would have attempted a later pregnancy and 4.1% said they might have done so. The fundamental variable was age at sterilization. 35.9% of the 167 women aged 20-29 at ligation, 20.5% of the 222 aged 30-34, and 17.9% of the 106 aged 35 or older stated they had at some time regretted their sterilization. 8.4% of those 20-29 at ligation, 8.6% of those 30-34, and 9.4% of those over 35 said they would have tried to have another child. 70% of those who would have wanted another child experienced regret within 3 years of the sterilization. Among women of all ages at ligation, 10.3% of those whose 1st marriage was still intact, 17.1% experiencing at least 1 broken marriage, and 22.6% of those never legally married expressed regret at being sterilized. But among women under 30 at ligation, 18.2% whose 1st marriage was still intact expressed regret. Family size did not seem to be systematically related to regret. Socioeconomic differentials in likelihood of regret were related to age. Women who were less educated and less attached to professional activity were likely to have married at younger ages, to have had their families early, and to have been sterilized before the age of 30.
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