Experience with Implanon use at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital Bauchi Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Implanon is an implantable, subdermal rod-shaped contraceptive device designed to provide a long acting contraception for up to three years.

Aim: to determine Implanon acceptance and socio-demographic characteristics of women accepting it.

Materials and methods: A retrospective study was carried out in the family planning Unit, Bauchi Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2013. The records of the clients from the family planning clinic were studied. Socio-demographic characteristics, years of distribution and source of information were analyzed using SPSS Version20 software.

Results: Of the 4091 acceptors of contraception, 601 had Implanon representing 14.7% of the acceptors. The age range was 20 to 45 years, with mean age of 24.4±3.6 years. Most of them 518(86.2%) were aged 20-34 years. All the acceptors were married. Many 476(79.2%) of the clients were multiparous. Majority 242(40.3%) of the clients had 2-3 living children and about 481(80.0%) had secondary education. Five hundred and sixty three clients (93.7%) desired more children after discontinuation of Implanon. Some of them 38(6.3%) weighed more than 80 kg. The main source of knowledge of Implanon was clinical personnel 462(76.9%). Mass media constituted the least source of information76(12.6%).

Conclusion: Implanon is an acceptable method of contraception among our women.