BACKGROUND: The levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG IUS) may become the next long-acting contraceptive to be introduced in public sector programs of resource-poor countries. Whereas service provision for subdermal implants and intrauterine devices is growing, little is known about how the LNG IUS might fit in. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a cohort study of 313 women in Kenya who were 6-12 weeks postpartum when they started using these methods: subdermal implant (205), LNG IUS (93), and copper intrauterine device (15). Participants returned for visits at 6 and 12 months to share information on bleeding patterns, side effects, satisfaction, and continued use of the products. We used Kaplan-Meier techniques to estimate method continuation rates and chi-square tests of association to identify differences in experiences with the methods. RESULTS: The 12-month continuation rate for the LNG IUS was 89.1 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 86.9-94.9) and statistically equivalent to that of the subdermal implant (91.8: 95% CI = 80.6-94.0). Nearly 87% of LNG IUS users were very satisfied with the method at 6 months compared to 75% of implant users; this gap closed somewhat at 12 months as satisfaction levels of implant users rose. At 12 months 78% of LNG IUS users felt that their bleeding pattern was highly acceptable compared with about 66% of implant users. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that the LNG IUS compared favorably to the subdermal implant in terms of satisfaction levels and continued use. The LNG IUS will provide another long-acting option for postpartum women. IMPLICATIONS: The LNG IUS may soon be purchased by international donor agencies for use in public sector programs in sub-Saharan Africa and other resource-poor countries. The results of this study suggest that the product will be successful in future introduction activities.
BACKGROUND: The levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG IUS) may become the next long-acting contraceptive to be introduced in public sector programs of resource-poor countries. Whereas service provision for subdermal implants and intrauterine devices is growing, little is known about how the LNG IUS might fit in. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a cohort study of 313 women in Kenya who were 6-12 weeks postpartum when they started using these methods: subdermal implant (205), LNG IUS (93), and copper intrauterine device (15). Participants returned for visits at 6 and 12 months to share information on bleeding patterns, side effects, satisfaction, and continued use of the products. We used Kaplan-Meier techniques to estimate method continuation rates and chi-square tests of association to identify differences in experiences with the methods. RESULTS: The 12-month continuation rate for the LNG IUS was 89.1 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 86.9-94.9) and statistically equivalent to that of the subdermal implant (91.8: 95% CI = 80.6-94.0). Nearly 87% of LNG IUS users were very satisfied with the method at 6 months compared to 75% of implant users; this gap closed somewhat at 12 months as satisfaction levels of implant users rose. At 12 months 78% of LNG IUS users felt that their bleeding pattern was highly acceptable compared with about 66% of implant users. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that the LNG IUS compared favorably to the subdermal implant in terms of satisfaction levels and continued use. The LNG IUS will provide another long-acting option for postpartum women. IMPLICATIONS: The LNG IUS may soon be purchased by international donor agencies for use in public sector programs in sub-Saharan Africa and other resource-poor countries. The results of this study suggest that the product will be successful in future introduction activities.
Authors: Geeta Nanda; Kate Rademacher; Marsden Solomon; Sarah Mercer; Jim Wawire; Rose Ngahu Journal: Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care Date: 2018-09-10 Impact factor: 1.848
Authors: Kate H Rademacher; Marsden Solomon; Tracey Brett; John H Bratt; Claire Pascual; Jesse Njunguru; Markus J Steiner Journal: Glob Health Sci Pract Date: 2016-08-18