Open AccessPerceptions and satisfaction among Norplant users in Finland
Author(s) -
Slhvo Sinikka,
Ollila Eeva,
Hemminki Elina
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.3109/00016349509024406
Subject(s) - medicine , patient satisfaction , family planning , depression (economics) , perception , contraceptive implant , family medicine , psychiatry , population , nursing , research methodology , environmental health , neuroscience , biology , economics , macroeconomics
Objective . This study was designed to assess users' perceptions of and satisfaction with the Norplant contraceptive implant. Methods . A questionnaire was mailed to all women having had Norplant inserted one or two years before the study initiation in seven public out‐patient family‐planning clinics in the capital area of Finland, of whom 82% responded ( n = 207). Results . Practically all women (97%) had experienced some side‐effects and 72% considered at least one of them to be disruptive. Of these side‐effects, bleeding irregularities proved most often bothersome during the first 6 months of use, but depression and nervousness were relatively more important reasons for early removal. Regardless of the ubiquity of side‐effects, 78% were satisfied with Norplant. High satisfaction was common especially among older users with their second set of capsules. Dissatisfaction with the method was best explained by the experience of unexpected and disruptive side‐effects. Conclusions . Our results suggest that mental problems related to Norplant use have received too little attention and that satisfaction is highest in carefully selected users among older women.