Contraceptive use at the family planning clinic of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria

During the five year review period (January 1993 - December 1997), 19,470 clients visited the family planning clinic of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu. Of these, 2402 clients (12%) were new patients and 17,068 (88%) were old patients. Among the new clients, 2262 (94%) eventually accepted a contraceptive method. The majority of the women (60%) chose the intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD), 20% chose the injectables, while bilateral tubal ligation and norplant were chosen by 8% and 7%, respectively, of the clients. The oral contraceptive pill was the least popular (1%). Variations in the pattern of contraceptive use among clients at the family planning clinic were discussed. Measures to increase the contraceptive prevalence, and particularly strategies to meet the specific contraceptive needs of clients at the clinic, were also examined.