Reasons given by women for discontinuing the use of progestogen implants at Koster Hospital, North West province

Abstract

Background: In 2014, the South African National Department of Health introduced a new addition to the long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC)  options available in the country. This was a single rod subdermal progestogen implant (Implanon®NXT) which provided 3 years of effective contraception  cover. However, the new  contraceptive device uptake and general acceptance amongst women quickly diminished, with a slew of requests  for its removal. The aim of this study  was to explore the reasons given by women for discontinuing the use of their progestogen implants at Koster  Hospital, North West province, South  Africa.

Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using semistructured interviews. Thirteen women were  purposively selected and interviewed at  Koster Hospital Family Planning Unit. The transcriptions of the audio-taped interviews were analysed  thematically.

Results: The following themes  emerged from the interviews as reasons the women discontinued their progestogen implants: side effects  such as menstrual problems, arm discomfort  and weight gain. Other themes were family or social factors and the desire to conceive.

Conclusion: The  reasons for discontinuation of Implanon by  women at Koster Hospital were the undesirable side effects they experienced whilst using the contraceptive  device. These side effects were mainly  menstrual problems, arm discomfort and weight gain. Family and other social dynamics also influenced some of  the participants’ decision to discontinue  their contraceptive implants.