Sterilization team training program in Sumatra.

Although sterilization was not initially included among the methods offered in the national family planning program in Sumatra it was available for medical obstetrical or psychological reasons. The great increase in demand for sterilization encouraged formation of a training program for sterilization teams to instruct them in the benefits of family planning and in patient counseling methods and to distribute information on outpatient sterilization. Physicians are taught the techniques of postpartum culdoscopic and interval minilaparotomy and the evaluation of sociomedical factors as components of clinical decisions about sterilization. Paramedics are trained to motivate patients for sterilization to assist the physician during the operation and to prepare and maintain equipment. Each trainee receives equipment at the conclusion of training and about 3 months later begins sterilization services under the supervision of a trainer appointed to visit by the training center. From July 1975 through April 1978 18 general practitioners 19 obstetrician-gynecologists and 60 paramedical workers completed training. 6545 sterilizations were performed at 22 subcenters in Sumatra during 1977-78.