Implanon sub-dermal implant: an emerging method of contraception in Ilorin, Nigeria

Implanon, a single rod sub-dermal implant is a relatively new contraceptive which offers long term reversible contraception for women. This study seeks to determine the safety, efficacy and acceptor characteristics of Implanon at the family planning clinic of University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Ilorin, Nigeria. This study involves a retrospective review of 88 clients who used Implanon from January 2007 to December 2011 at the family planning clinic of the UITH, Ilorin. Of the 2,456 clients who had contraception during the period, 88 had Implanon giving a 3.6% uptake. The mean age of Implanon users in the study was 33.4 years, no teenager used the method and 72(81.8%) knew about the method from clinic staff. Women with two living children constituted 29(33%) of the total users, 78(88.6%) users had at least secondary education, all except one client were married and religion did not influence its use. Twenty two (25%) users had side effects, the commonest being menstrual irregularity in 13(59%) of the participants. Discontinuation rate was 26.1% and the commonest reason for discontinuation was the desire to get pregnant 8(35%). The Pearl Index for Implanon in the study was 0. Implanon is an effective long term hormonal contraceptive appropriate in a wide range of women with tolerable side effect profile but is currently underutilised. Wider publicity, education and access are needed to improve client uptake..