Knowledge and perception of bilateral tubal ligation among women of reproductive age attending antenatal clinic at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Bilateral tubal ligation (BTL) is the most reliable form of permanent surgical contraception for women who have achieved their desired number of children or are limited due to medical conditions. Objectives: Assess the level of knowledge of women on this issue and identify related factors affecting knowledge, and awareness as well as the decision to use the BTL method. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study with a convenient sampling method on 189 married and reproductive-age women who visited Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital from June 2022 to October 2022. The toolkit includes 17 questions divided into 2 areas: knowledge and perception when using this method. The data were processed and analyzed using SPSS 20.0 software. Results: 32% of women have good knowledge and 68% have bad knowledge. The factors related to knowledge include age, education level, occupation, current number of children alive and status of sexually transmitted diseases (p < 0.05). The percentage agreeing to use this method is 66% and disagreeing is 34%. Factors related to women’s decision to have BTL include The benefit of bilateral tubal ligation, the Husband’s consent, the difficulties of giving a decision, fear of surgery, fear of regret, and lack of information about this method (mean > 3). Conclusion: It is necessary to determine the level of knowledge, awareness, and related factors of women of reproductive age about the BTL method, from which there are timely interventions and counseling for women in the antenatal period so they can make the most appropriate decision. Key words: Knowledge and perception of bilateral tubal ligation, women of reproductive age.