Document Type
Working Paper
Publication Date
2007
Abstract
The objective of this paper is to explore the experiences of women undergoing a particular form of fertility regulation, namely sterilization or tubal ligation, in a variety of facilities in Chennai, India. The paper examines specifically the nature of information provided to clients, the consent-taking process, the nature of its documentation, and the extent to which clients made an informed choice. The findings underscore that although all the women respondents did wish to practice a method of contraception, and did want to adopt sterilization, several limitations were noted in the process of providing informed consent: inadequate information was provided to women to enable them to weigh their options, the process of documentation of consent was poorly conducted in the study setting, and the environment was not conducive to ensuring the exercise of women’s right to informed consent. These findings highlight the need for interventions at different levels—that of women in general, and as family planning clients; healthcare providers; family planning institutions; and at the policy level.
Recommended Citation
Rajalakshmi. 2007. "Informed consent in sterilisation services: Evidence from public and private health care institutions in Chennai," Health and Population Innovation Fellowship Programme Working Paper no. 4. New Delhi: Population Council.
DOI
10.31899/rh5.1027
Language
English
Project
Health and Population Innovation (HPI) Fellowship Program
Included in
Demography, Population, and Ecology Commons, Family, Life Course, and Society Commons, International Public Health Commons, Maternal and Child Health Commons, Women's Health Commons