Women's perceptions with use of Implanon ® contraceptive device at a primary healthcare facility in KwaZulu-Natal

• Published in: Health SA = SA Gesondheid Vol. 28; no. 3; pp. 2016 - 8
• Main Authors: Mgobhozi, Lucky N, Mchunu, Gugu G, Mbeje, Pretty
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: South Africa African Online Scientific Information Systems (Pty) Ltd t/a AOSIS 2023; AOSIS (Pty) Ltd; AOSIS; AOSIS Publishing on behalf of University of Johannesburg
• Subjects: contraception; Contraceptive drug implants; Data collection; family planning; Females; Health Care Sciences & Services; Health facilities; Health Policy & Services; Health surveys; implanon; Medical personnel; Oral contraceptives; Original Research; Perceptions; Primary health care; primary healthcare; Questionnaires; Sample size; Surveys; Transplants & implants; South Africa; KwaZulu-Natal Province South Africa; family planning; primary healthcare; perceptions; contraception; Implanon
• ISSN: 1025-9848; 2071-9736; 2071-9736
• DOI: 10.4102/hsag.v28i0.2016

Early 2014, subdermal contraceptive implant was introduced in South Africa, Implanon
NXT, aiming to expand the method mix, increase effectiveness and availability to long-acting contraceptives. The initial uptake was extremely high, but concerns have been raised with treatment failure and high number of removals reported.
The study focuses on describing women's perceptions with use of Implanon
at a primary health care (PHC) facility in KwaZulu-Natal.
This study was conducted at a selected primary health care (PHC) facility in KwaZulu-Natal.
A quantitative, descriptive study design was used. Through purposive sampling, a sample of 60 women from 15 to 50 years old were recruited. Data were gathered through a structured questionnaire and analysed using SPSS 24 software.
Study findings show that slightly above half of respondents, 32 or 58.1% expressed satisfaction towards the implant, 20 or 40.9% had stopped using the implant as a result of its major implications. It was found that an edge above half of respondents continued using the implant 28 or 50.9%, while close to half had abandoned it (27 or 49.1%). Some respondents reported that they were experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding and low sex drive as serious unwanted side effects forcing them to stop using Implanon
.
Side-effects and poor screening, counselling and support are major reasons for early removal. It is imperative to develop an effective screening tool and to re-train healthcare workers on Implanon
NXT.
This article contributes to increase awareness of women's perceptions about Implanon
contraceptive.