The acceptance rate of intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) amongst family planning clinic users in Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

BACKGROUND

Intrauterine Contraceptive Device is an effective reversible long-term contraceptive method that is popular and widely used in this environment.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the characteristics of women using this mode of contraception, their main reasons for acceptance, complications arising from usage and the discontinuation rate as well as reasons for discontinuing the method.

METHODS

A review of case records of all the new contraceptive acceptors attending the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Family Planning Clinic of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) from 1st January 1990 to 31st December 1994 was examined and the clients that accepted the intrauterine contraceptive device, (IUCD) during this period were identified. The records of those that opted for IUCD were thoroughly reviewed to identify the follow up events through the subsequent ten years visits to determine outcome of the contraceptive usage.

RESULTS

Amongst the 2754 new contraceptive acceptors during the study period, 1602 (58.17%) clients accepted the Intrauterine Contraceptive Device (IUCD). Of these IUCD acceptors, the mean age was 31.3 +/- 5.5 years, mean parity was 3.9 +/- 2 and mean number of children alive was 3.6 +/- 1.8. Seven hundred and forty nine (46.8%) of them had previously used contraceptives and 1175 (73.3%) of them still wanted more children, thus child spacing was the main reasons for accepting this method. By 12 months, the discontinuation rate was 13.9% with the cumulative discontinuation rate of 47% as at forty-eighth month. The commonest reason for discontinuation was planning to get pregnant in 426 (26.6%) of the clients. Menstrual disorders accounted for 108 (6.7%). The mean duration of IUCD was 25.4 +/- 18.8 months with an accidental pregnancy rate of 0.3%.

CONCLUSION

Intrauterine Contraceptive Device is widely accepted amongst women in the study group. Devices that reduce menstrual loss and also have long duration of action like Levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) qualifies to be considered.