Nancy L Stanwood1, Kara Eastwood, Alison Carletta. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Box 668, Rochester, NY 14642-8668, USA. nancy_stanwood@urmc.rochester.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The monthly injectable contraceptive is usually administered in the office. We aimed to compare home self-injection with office administration with respect to satisfaction, compliance, and time and money spent on contraceptive behavior. METHODS: We enrolled 16 subjects and taught them self-injection for a prospective cohort trial with crossover. Subjects performed three self-injections at home and then had three office injections by the nurse. RESULTS: Ten subjects completed the protocol. They reported similarly low pain and anxiety with nurse injections and self-injections. Women reported spending less money and similar time for home injections. Most subjects strongly preferred giving themselves injections at home to office injections and would recommend self-injection to other women. CONCLUSIONS: Self-injection of the monthly contraceptive at home is a preferable alternative to office administration for these subjects. This study demonstrates the feasibility of teaching women self-injection. Future studies should look at how best to teach women self-injection and to select women who will be successful with self-injection of contraceptives.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVES: The monthly injectable contraceptive is usually administered in the office. We aimed to compare home self-injection with office administration with respect to satisfaction, compliance, and time and money spent on contraceptive behavior. METHODS: We enrolled 16 subjects and taught them self-injection for a prospective cohort trial with crossover. Subjects performed three self-injections at home and then had three office injections by the nurse. RESULTS: Ten subjects completed the protocol. They reported similarly low pain and anxiety with nurse injections and self-injections. Women reported spending less money and similar time for home injections. Most subjects strongly preferred giving themselves injections at home to office injections and would recommend self-injection to other women. CONCLUSIONS: Self-injection of the monthly contraceptive at home is a preferable alternative to office administration for these subjects. This study demonstrates the feasibility of teaching women self-injection. Future studies should look at how best to teach women self-injection and to select women who will be successful with self-injection of contraceptives.