Abstract

Background: Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), which include the subdermal contraceptive implant and intrauterine contraception, offer women safe, highly effective, long-term pregnancy prevention, and have expanded contraceptive options. The implant greatly expands LARC options for South African women as it is available free of charge at public health facilities, but little is known about factors associated with its uptake. This study describes factors associated with the intention to use the implant, including knowledge and beliefs about the implant and perceived outcome expectancies of implant use among women in Cape Town, South Africa.Methods: Between 2015 and 2016, the authors conducted a quantitative, cross-sectional survey among adult women attending a public, primary health clinic in Cape Town, South Africa. Using a structured questionnaire, they measured knowledge, awareness, and attitudes, perceived outcome expectancy, and the intention to use the contraceptive implant in future among the women.Results: The authors surveyed 481 women (mean age 29.1 years). Most of the participants (n = 364, 75.6%) had heard about the implant, 45 (9.4%) were currently using it, and 97 (20.2%) intended to use it in the future. Knowledge about the safety of the implant, beliefs about its effectiveness, and the ease of insertion and removal, and support from intimate partners were positively associated with the current use and intentions to use the implant in the future.Conclusions: Limited knowledge of the implant, having completed secondary schooling, support from partner for women to use implant and the perceived outcome expectancies of using the implant were factors significantly associated with the intention to use the implant. Ensuring that the contraception information is available in all South African languages, regardless of education levels in women, and that comprehensive contraception education and counseling is provided during all family planning might help improve the uptake of contraceptives, including the use of the implant in the country.

Highlights

  • Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), which include the subdermal contraceptive implant and intrauterine contraception, offer women safe, highly effective, long-term pregnancy prevention, and have expanded contraceptive options

  • The findings of this study show that knowledge and attitude play an important role in the intention to use any family planning method among women, but more so toward the implant

  • Our study highlights the importance of comprehensive contraception education and counseling provision during family planning visits to empower women to make informed decisions about contraceptives that best suit their needs and preferences

Read more

Summary

Introduction

Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), which include the subdermal contraceptive implant and intrauterine contraception, offer women safe, highly effective, long-term pregnancy prevention, and have expanded contraceptive options. The implant greatly expands LARC options for South African women as it is available free of charge at public health facilities, but little is known about factors associated with its uptake. Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), which include the subdermal contraceptive implant and intrauterine contraception (IUC), offer women safe, highly effective, long-term pregnancy prevention, and expanded contraceptive options. The implant, which has been widely available at no cost to clients in South African public sector clinics, since its introduction in 2014 was part of the implementation of these policies, and greatly expanded LARC options for South African women [1]. Promotion of any specific method of contraception, including LARCs, as effective as they are, has been cautioned by reproductive health and rights advocates as it undermines the reproductive autonomy of women

Methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call