Contraception with Intrauterine Contraceptive Device (IUCD) in Port Harcourt, South-South Nigeria

Abstract

Clinical experience with intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) at the Family Planning Clinic of University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital between 1st January 1997 and 31st December 2006 is presented. This was a descriptive retrospective study aimed at determining the uptake rate as well as the effectiveness, side effects and reasons for discontinuation of IUCD in Port Harcourt. Out of 10,052 acceptors of contraception during the study period, 1,632 used IUCD constituting 16.2% of acceptors. Their mean ±SD age and parity were 33.52 ±4.6 years and 3.8±2.6 respectively. The mean duration of use was 20.82±2.35 months. Majority of the clients were married (90.4%), educated (98.9%) and christians (97.2%). Out of the 1,504 women who used IUCD within the study period 310 (20.6%) had side effects. The prevalent side effects were menorrhagia (30.3%) and vaginal discharge (20.8%). The commonest reason for discontinuation was desire for pregnancy (42.0%). Hospital personnel were the main source of information on IUCD. One accidental pregnancy occurred (pearl index of 0.007 per 100 woman years). IUCD is an effective method of contraception in Port Harcourt ; comparable to worldwide experience. The low uptake rate calls for concerted effort to create more awareness about it especially in the rural areas/ non literate population.