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

<bold>Objectives: </bold>Compare the safety and efficacy of quinacrine sterilization (QS) and surgical sterilization, also known as tubal ligation (TL).<bold>Methods: </bold>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.<bold>Results: </bold>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 groups. QS was less disruptive, more easily tolerated, required fewer resources and was viewed more favorably than TL by women and their spouses.<bold>Conclusions: </bold>Both methods were found safe and very effective. However, QS was considered to be more acceptable than TL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]