CONTRACEPTIVE CHOICES AND TRENDS AMONG WOMEN ATTENDING THE FAMILY PLANNING UNIT OF LASUTH IKEJA: A 3-YEAR REVIEW

Abstract

Background: Contraception has been identified as an
effective means of combating the problem of unwanted
pregnancy and unsafe abortion. It is equally an effective
means of family planning and fertility control and
therefore an important tool in promoting maternal and
child health. The objective was to evaluate the choice and
trend of contraceptive usage over 3 years, the most
preferred method and the adverse effects associated with
each type of contraceptive method among the clients
attending the family planning clinic at LASUTH.
Methodology: It was a retrospective study. Records of
clients attending the family planning clinic at LASUTH
from January 2011 to December 2013 were reviewed.
Information extracted included age, parity, type of
contraception, source of information, complications and
action taken to address the complication. Data obtained
were represented using frequency tables, means,
percentages, bar charts.
Results: A total of 1,843 clients accepted various forms
of contraceptive methods during the period of study.
There was a steady increase in the number of acceptors
of contraceptives over the period of study from 585
(31.7%) in 2011 to 645 (35.0%) in 2013. The mean age
and parity were 34.08±5.37 years and 2.9±1.22,
respectively. The most common Contraceptive method
was the intra uterine contraceptive device (IUCDs)
accounting for 46.5%, followed by Implants (Jardelle and
Implanon) (38.4%), Injectables (8.9%), Oral
contraceptive pills(4%), Barrier methods (2.1%). The
least accepted method was bilateral tubal ligation (0.1%).
The adverse effects observed were menorrhagia in
35.2% of IUCD users, weight gain and amenorrhoea in
58.1% of combined injectables and implants users,
weight gain and menstrual irregularities in 5.9% of OCP
users and reduced pleasure or accidental slippage in
15.3% of those using barrier method. Discontinuation
rate were 26.4% in IUCD users, 17.8% of combined
injectable/implants users, 23% among OCPs and 17.9%
in those using barrier methods over one year period.
Conclusion: There was a steady increase in
contraceptive uptake during the study period. The Intra
uterine contraceptive device was the most commonly
accepted method, while bilateral tubal ligation was the
least preferred method.