Abstract

Igwegbe AO and Ugboaja JO

This retrospective study investigates the use of, complications and discontinuation of injectable progestogen-only contraceptives at the family planning clinic of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Nigeria. 392 (29.1%) of the 1345 new clients chose injectable progestogen-only contraceptives. Among them, 51.5% were spacers while 48.5% were limiters. Also 94.9% of the clients used depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) while 5.1% used norethisterone enanthate (NET-EN). Majority of the acceptors belonged to the 30-34 years age bracket (35.7%), were grandmultiparous (63.8%), and had achieved secondary education and above (74.5%). Ninety (23.0%) clients experienced various forms of side effects, of which menstrual irregularity was the commonest (5.6%). The overall discontinuation rate was 6.1%, and the main reason for discontinuation was desirefor pregnancy (4.1%). There was no pregnancy reported during the study period. The likelihood of reporting complications was significantly associated with age (x2 = 34.06; p=0.00), and level of education (x2 =10.18; p=0.00). The injectable progestogen-only contraceptives are not widely accepted in our centre, and are associated with a low discontinuation rate. There is need to scale up their use in the family planning program in the area.