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Quinacrine sterilization (QS) in Costa Rica: 694 cases
Author(s) -
Alpizar F.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/s0020-7292(03)90107-x
Subject(s) - medicine , family planning , sterilization (economics) , pregnancy , female sterilization , health services , gynecology , surgery , obstetrics , research methodology , population , environmental health , biology , monetary economics , economics , foreign exchange market , genetics , foreign exchange
Objectives: To evaluate the safety, efficacy and acceptability of quinacrine sterilization (QS) in Costa Rica. Methods: From 1989 though August 1993, 694 women volunteered for QS in my private practice. All were referred by a family planning clinic or a local hospital obstetric service. The protocol used involved the transcervical insertion of 216 mg of quinacrine hydrochloride in the form of 6 pellets. A second dose was given 4 weeks later. All insertions were done in the first 14 days of the menstrual cycle. The procedure was similar to the CuT IUD placement. Temporary contraception was recommended for 3 months after the last insertion. The cut‐off date for this analysis was April 1994. Results: With 7 months to 5 years of follow‐up, the gross pregnancy rate was 2.5%. Side effects were relatively minor, none requiring hospitalization. Conclusion: QS was found to be safe, effective and acceptable.