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Feb 10, 2005Keywords:
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Main Article Content
Safety, Efficacy and Acceptabilty of Norplant<sup>R</sup> Implants in Jos, Northern Nigeria
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the safety, efficacy and acceptability of NorplantR amongst its acceptors.
Study Design, Setting and Subjects: This study was part of ongoing prospective longitudinal studies that involved 23 women who had complete records at three years out of the 37 healthy non breast feeding informed volunteers recruited from our family planning clinic in August 1997. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, menstrual pattern, packed cell volume, weights, blood pressure, side effects and user\'s satisfaction were analysed.
Results: The mean age and parity of the acceptors were 31.7 ± 3.4 years and 4.7 ± 1.0 respectively. Even though the mean weight at 12months (63.2 ± 11.7kg was not statistically different (p 0.5) from the mean weight at pre-insertion (62.5 + 11.2kg), there were statistical significant increases in weights at 2years (66.9 ± 12.1kg; p= 0.001) and at 3years (65.9 ± 11.6kg; p 0.01). Apart from the slight statistically significant increase (p 0.02) in systolic blood pressure at 2years, the blood pressure changes at 1year and 3years did not show significant changes. Main side effects were menstrual abnormalities, weight changes, headache, abdominal pain and dizziness. The packed cell volume significantly increased. Continuation rate was 100% and there was no pregnancy recorded. Users were satisfied with the method because of its convenience, low risk of pregnancy and long duration of action.
Conclusion: NorplantR subdermal implant was an effective safe and acceptable method of contraception amongst the acceptors, despite its minimal side effects.
Key Words: NorplantR Implants, Safety, Efficacy and Acceptability
NorplantR is a registered trademark of The Population Council for levonorgestrel subdermal implants
[ Trop J Obstet Gynaecol, 2004;21:95-99]
