A study of the status of provision of sterilisation services in India

CONTEXT: India has the second-largest population in the world with a significant growth rate that adversely affects the quality of life (QoL). Sterilisation is one of the main methods of female contraception in the country. Meeting the sterilisation services’ numerical demand and quality requirements have remained a challenge. AIMS: This study was done to assess the infrastructural component of the sterilisation services provided by the static centres. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a descriptive cross-sectional facility-based study conducted from September to December 2017. It involved 30 facilities (10 district hospitals and 20 community health centres [CHCs]) from 10 divisions of the state of Madhya Pradesh. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The data were collected using a pre-tested and pre-structured questionnaire, which was uploaded on the Ona platform. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 21. RESULTS: Only 11 of the 30 facilities had proper waiting areas for the patients. Approximately, only 63% of the facilities had proper toilets, 50% had display of the contraceptives, and 43% had a complaint/suggestion box. In terms of the availability of equipment, only 43% of the facilities had a table with the Trendelenburg facility. CONCLUSIONS: The main limitations in the infrastructure of the facilities were general cleanliness; availability of proper waiting and post-operative areas; and the lack of equipment, record keeping, and supervision. To accomplish the provision of quality sterilisation services, policy-makers and programme managers need to pay attention to and address these limitations.