Weight Change Experience Effect on Timeliness of Depoprovera Injections in Adolescent Mothers

Abstract

Background DepoProvera is a popular contraceptive choice among parenting adolescents. This study was undertaken to determine whether weight loss or gain had an impact on the timeliness of DepoProvera injections in a population of recently delivered adolescents. Do weight gaining mothers delay DepoProvera injections fearing a weight measurement at clinic visit for their Depoprovera? Methods Retrospective chart review of adolescent mothers utilizing the young Parents Program was accomplished. The Young Parents Program provides prenatal, peripartum, and post partum medical care for teens age 19 or under as well as medical care for their offspring to the age of five. Contraceptive choice, weight, and clinic data were recorded by the same staff on a standard form at each clinic visit. Fifty-five charts randomly selected from known DepoProvera users as of July, 1993 were reviewed in July, 1996. Weights, number of DepoProvera injections, and dates of injections were collected. Results Fortv-six mothers had complete information and more than 1 DepoProvera injection (range 2 to 12 injections). Twenty-four percent of adolescent mothers lost weight (range up to 25-1/2 pounds). Sixty-nine injections (24% of total 288 injections) occurred in this group with 61 injections occurring within 12–14 weeks of last DepoProvera (on time) and 8 injections occurring past 14 weeks of last DepoProvera (late). Thirty-three percent of adolescent mothers gained between 1/2 and 5 pounds. Ninety injections (31%) occurred in this group with 80 iniections on time and 10 injections late. Twenty-six percent of adolescent mothers gained between 5 and 20 pounds. Sixty-three injections (22%) occurred in these mothers with 55 injections on time and 8 injections late. Seventeen percent of adolescent mothers gained greater than 20 pounds (range 22 to 49 pounds). Sixty-six injections (23%) occurred in this group with 56 injections on time and 10 injections late. Conclusions Weight loss or minimal weight gain of less than 5 pounds occurred in 57% of adolescent mothers. Eighty-seven and one-half percent of all DepoProvera injections were received on time in 52% of adolescent mothers. These on time injections occurred evenly across weight loss and weight gain mothers. Weight gain of greater than 20 pounds occurred in 17% of mothers with a maximum gain of 49 pounds in one mother receiving four DepoProvera injections on time. Weight loss or gain among adolescent mothers does not appear to impact timeliness of DepoProvera injections.