The researchers did this study to explore the factors affecting first-year Implanon discontinuation from clients’ and providers’ perspectives.
Researchers used a mixed quantitative-qualitative methodology. They conducted a household survey of Implanon clients and three focus group discussions with FP physicians and directors.
We found that 13.5% of Implanon users discontinued its use in the first year. Survival analysis found that clients who had previously used Implanon and whose husbands had a secondary or a higher education level were less likely to discontinue Implanon use after the first year. In contrast, clients who experienced side effects of Implanon use were more likely to stop it. Other causes of discontinuation which emerged in the qualitative analysis were the unjustified advice for Implanon removal by non-gynecologists, due to unrelated users’ complaints, and deficient pre-insertion counseling.
The study concluded that Implanon has a low first-year discontinuation rate as compared with other contraceptive methods. FP clients should be given sufficient pre-insertion counseling about Implanon’s side effects and the duration of protection. Physicians should offer Implanon mainly to clients seeking long-term contraception.
Reference: https://srh.bmj.com/content/44/4/260
