A six- year review of uptake of bilateral tubal ligation (BTL) at a tertiary health institution in Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Bilateral tubal ligation is one of the most effective and permanent contraceptive methods. Being a permanent method of contraception, it is not readily accepted especially with the myths surrounding it’s use. The objective of this study is to document its incidence, sociodemographic characteristics, techniques, effectiveness and associated complications in the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), a tertiary health institution in Calabar Nigeria. Method: This is a retrospective analysis of 141 clients, who had bilateral tubal ligation at UCTH over a six-year period between January 1st 2016 and December 31st, 2021. Results: There were 141 bilateral tubal ligations done during the study period. 130 (92.2%) were done during Caesarean section, 7(5.0%) were done during repair of uterine rupture, 3(2.1%) had immediate postpartum BTL and 1(0.7%) had interval BTL. There were 4,549 Caesarean sections and 13,056 total deliveries during the period under review. Therefore, BTL was associated with 1.08% of the total deliveries. The mean age and parity of the clients were 35.9 years and 4.35 respectively. The commonest indication for BTL was previous caesarean section in 92(65.2%). Only one complication specific to tubal ligation was recorded during the study period.