China: Whether females are sterilized by injections; whether this type of sterilization is fully effective

Although no reports of sterilization of females by injections could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate, Duolao Wang, Ian Diamond and Sian L. Curtis report that tubectomies, fallopian sticker blockades and fallopian suppository blockades may be employed as procedures for female sterilization in China (APPJ Mar. 1998). Another controversial method of sterilization, that involves the insertion of quinacrine hydrochloride pellets in a woman's uterus, has reportedly been carried out in China in the past (RHM Nov. 1995). However, no recent reports of quinacrine sterilization in China could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. "Injectables," including injection and implants, are discussed in the Wang, Diamond and Curtis paper as alternative methods of contraception (APPJ Mar. 1998). Similarly, Dr. Zhao Baige of the State Family Planning Commission separates female sterilization from oral pills and injection in his paper on the quality of reproductive health care in China (PRC 2001). According to the China Daily Hong Kong Edition's article on China's "informed choice" campaign,

the number of women choosing such irreversible methods as sterilization dropped to 38.1 per cent in 2001 from 41.66 per cent in 1992, while those choosing condoms, oral or injectable contraceptives rose to 7.2 per cent from 5.55 per cent (2 Apr. 2003).

The distinction, therefore, is that sterilization is considered to be permanent and generally requires surgery while other methods of birth control, including injections, are reversable (ibid.; FHI Fall 1997). According to the United Nations Dictionary of Demographic and Reproductive Health Terminology, "sexual sterilization" refers to "a procedure by which an individual is made incapable of reproduction" (1999). However, no references to whether female sterilization is fully effective could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.      

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Asia-Pacific Population Journal (APPJ). March 1998. 13(1). Duolao Wang, Ian Diamond and Sian L. Curtis. "Contraceptive Failure and its Subsequent Effects in China: A Two-Stage Event History Analysis." [Accessed 7 Apr. 2003]

China Daily Hong Kong Edition. 2 April 2003. "Informed Choice." [Accessed 4 Apr. 2003]

Family Health International (FHI). Fall 1997. Network. Vol. 18, No.1. "Female Sterilization Safe, Very Effective." [Accessed 7 Apr. 2003]

People's Republic of China (PRC). 2001. State Family Planning Commission. Dr. Zhao Baige. "Quality of Care of Reproductive Health in China Today." [Accessed 4 Apr. 2003]

Reproductive Health Matters (RHM). November 1995. Vol. 3, Issue 6. Marge Berer. "The Quinacrine Controversy One Year On." [Accesed 8 Apr. 2003]

United Nations. 1999. Population Information Network. Dictionary of Demographic and Reproductive Health Terminiology. [Accessed 7 Apr. 2003]

Additional Sources Consulted

IRB Databases

Internet sites, including:

Amnesty International

CEDAW

China Daily

China Journal

China.org

China Population Information and Resource Centre

Global Reproductive Health Forum

Hong Kong Human Rights Commission

Human Rights in China

Population Information Network (POPIN)

World News Connection