The acceptability, efficacy and safety of quinacrine non-surgical sterilization (QS), tubectomy and vasectomy in 5 provinces in the Red River Delta, Vietnam: a follow-up of 15,190 cases

Objectives: To compare the safety, efficacy and acceptability of quinacrine sterilization (QS), tubectomy and vasectomy in Vietnam. Methods: This study was initiated in January 1998 and completed in February 2000. A sample of 9 districts in 5 provinces, where the prevalence of QS was known to be high, was selected. Every person sterilized in these 9 districts between January 1, 1988 and March 31, 1998 was identified and systematically interviewed by family planning clinicians who had received special training for this project. Results: A total of 15,982 sterilization users were identified and 15,190 were interviewed and examined, including a gynecologic exam, if needed: a follow-up rate of 95%. Of those interviewed, 9,753 used tubectomy, 3,734 used QS and 1,703 used vasectomy. All three methods were found to be safe, although morbidity associated with tubectomy was more serious than with QS or vasectomy. No deaths were reported. After more than 5 years of follow-up, tubectomy had the lowest failure rate: 1.0%, followed by 4.1% with vasectomy. A pregnancy rate of 13.2% was reported with quinacrine, although only a small fraction of these failures were confirmed. A strong preference for QS was found. Conclusion: QS has an important role to play in sterilization services in Vietnam.