Tubal sterilization : Characteristics of women most affected by the option of reversibility

In order to determine the types of women whose sterilization decisions would be most affected by the option of reversibility, responses from 1074 randomly selected ob-gyn patients, concerning eventual intention to undergo permanent and hypothetically reversible procedures, were analyzed. Cross-tabulation of the dependent variables with a wide array of socio-demographic and attitudinal characteristics was followed by discriminant function analysis in order to determine which variables had the greatest independent impact on sterilization decisions. Particular attention was given to the shift from initial rejection of sterilization, when permanent, to its acceptance, when reversible. Intention to eventually undergo permanent sterilization is most significantly associated with intention to have no more children, friends with positive experience with tubal sterilization, and educational level other than a Bachelor's degree. Response change among initial rejectors of permanent sterilization is most strongly associated with mixed feelings regarding abortion, age under 35, and dissatisfaction with or ambivalence toward last contraceptive method used. Response change, using the total sample as a base, is most significantly associated with mixed feelings toward abortion, age under 35, and intention to have or unsure about having more children. These variables suggest that reversible sterilization, although important to all sub-groups, is likely to become a solution for women who are ambivalent toward abortion and is most important to those women likely to experience future fertility, including unwanted births.