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Addressing unmet need for long‐acting family planning in Ethiopia: Uptake of single‐rod progestogen contraceptive implants (Implanon) and characteristics of users
Author(s) -
Asnake Mengistu,
Henry Elizabeth G.,
Tilahun Yewondwossen,
Oliveras Elizabeth
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2013.07.003
Subject(s) - medicine , contraceptive implant , family planning , desogestrel , family medicine , etonogestrel , population , long acting reversible contraception , gynecology , demography , environmental health , research methodology , sociology
Objective To describe women who accept single‐rod progestogen contraceptive implants (Implanon; N.V. Organon, Oss, Netherlands) from community health workers in Ethiopia and to assess whether community‐based provision addresses unmet need for contraception. Methods Women who accepted Implanon during training events in 4 regions were asked about their characteristics and use of family planning. They were compared with implant users nationally and women with unmet need in the Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey (DHS). Differences between groups were tested using 2‐sample comparisons of proportions and means. Results On average, Implanon acceptors were younger and had more years of education and fewer children than implant users nationally. Almost one‐quarter (22.9%) of all participants had never used contraception before; this was slightly higher among women who chose Implanon (23.1% vs 16.4%; P = 0.04). Acceptors were also less likely than non‐acceptors to be using contraception (70.8% vs 77.3%; P < 0.05) but all women interviewed were more likely to be using contraception than the rural population. Women who accepted Implanon were younger but more educated than women with unmet need for contraception in the 2005 DHS. Conclusion Provision of Implanon at the community level through community health workers is effective in reaching women with the greatest need for contraception.