A comparison of quinacrine sterilization (QS) and surgical sterilization (TL) in 600 women in Guizhou Province, China.

OBJECTIVES

Compare the safety and efficacy of quinacrine sterilization (QS) and surgical sterilization, also known as tubal ligation (TL).

METHODS

300 women accepted QS in Guiyang, China during the period from July 1995 to September 1997. Each patient was scheduled for follow-up at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. In March 1998, a comparison group of 300 women electing TL during the same time period was systematically chosen. Researchers visited the village of every woman and conducted a structured interview. Each candidate was given a general health and pelvic exam at a clinic in her village. All interviews and exams were completed in August 1998.

RESULTS

Of the 289 QS patients interviewed (a follow-up rate of 96.3%), 265 had had 2 insertions. There were 3 pregnancy failures for a cumulative life table failure rate of 1.2 per 100 women at 24 months. The 299 TL patients (a follow-up rate of 99.7%) had a similar rate of 0.7. There were no life-threatening side effects or deaths in either group. QS was less disruptive, more easily tolerated, required fewer resources and was viewed more favorably than TL by women and their spouses.

CONCLUSIONS

Both methods were found safe and very effective. However, QS was considered to be more acceptable than TL.