Objective: To document our experience on the use of Jadelle/Implanon contraceptives that was recently introduced into Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, Nigeria. It is pertinent to generate data on the experiences in the use of this contraceptive in a cross sectional study within Zaria, Northern Nigeria. Method: Data on consecutive clients that accepted Jadelle/ Implanon from June 2009 to November 2013 at ABUTH were extracted from their cards and analyzed using SPSS version 17. Out of a total of 11,502 clients that were for contraception during the period under review, 798 accepted Jadelle/Implanon accounting for 7% of the total clients. All the clients were married. About 67.8% were Muslims while 27.2% were Christians and 5% belong to other sect. 4140 (36%) had tertiary education. Most of the client has been on one form of modern contraception; only 16% were first time users who accepted implant after counselling. 37% of the clients are full time housewives. The discontinuation rate was found to be 26% for Jadelle and 19% for Implanon. No pregnancy was recorded during this period. Conclusion: Jadelle/Implanon account for 7% of contractive uptake and a high discontinuation rate was found among the users.

Aim: To document reasons for the low uptake of Copper 380A contraceptive in Zaria, Northern Nigeria. Study Design: Qualitative analysis from In-depth interviews (IDI) and Focus group discussions (FGD). Setting: Zaria, Northern Nigeria. Methods: Five high volume public facilities within Zaria metropolis were selected for the study (the teaching hospital, two district hospitals serving the metropolis and two primary care centers). The most experienced provider in each of these facilities was engaged in an IDI to explore reasons for the low uptake of IUD from their perspective. Similarly, a session of FGD was conducted in each of the facility involving at least eight family planning clients who were para 4 or more and not using the IUD. Results: There were a total of 397 new clients that were served various methods of contraceptive across the five facilities three months prior to the study. Intrauterine device only accounted for 11.8% of these clients while Injectable was responsible for 62% of clients. 72% of the IUD insertions took place in the teaching hospital. There were no IUD insertions in the two primary care centers within the last three months prior to study. Conclusion: Misconceptions, lack of information concerning IUD particularly at the primary care levels, lack of male involvement and providers' incompetence were the main barriers to accessing IUD services in Zaria, Nigeria. In the course of this investigation, local Ethics were observed. * Corresponding author.A. M. Adogie et al. 828

Background: Globally, there has been the recognition of the importance of male involvement in family planning and providers sees their support as an effective way of reducing barrier to accessing Family Planning services. Aim: Assess the pattern of spousal support and communication for family planning. Methodology: This was a mixed study design. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information from Family Planning client, attending Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital’s Reproductive Health clinic and Ahmadu Bello University Medical Centre. An in-dept. interview (with FP providers) and FGDs (with clients) were also conducted. Result: A total of 280 clients that were served with questionnaire across the two facilities within three months. Of the 280 respondents only 65% had tertiary level of education. Prior discussion of family planning with spouse was found in 82.5% of respondents and in 80.3% of the respondents said their spouses were aware of the chosen method. However, it was only in 39.5% of clients that, the chosen method was influenced by their spouses. Financial support by spouse was found in 69% of respondents. In 90% of respondents, there was the influence of the spouse on the intended duration of the chosen method. However, it was only in 33.5% of the respondents that the spouse influenced the discontinuation of previous method. Conclusion: Couple communication and spousal support were present in over two-third of family planning clients in Zaria, Northern Nigeria. Targeting men in behavioral change communication will improve the uptake of family planning services and improve the continuation of use of long-term contraceptives.