Determinants of early discontinuation of etonogestrel sub-dermal implant among reproductive-age women in Legambo district, Northeast Ethiopia: An unmatched case–control study

Abstract

Objective: Etonogestrel sub-dermal implant discontinuation is very common in the study area. But evidence on the determinants was limited. So, this study aimed to identify determinants of early discontinuation of etonogestrel sub-dermal implant among reproductive-age women in Legambo district, Northeast Ethiopia. Methods: An institution-based unmatched case–control study was conducted on 252 reproductive-age women (84 cases and 168 controls) from 1 February up to 30 April 2020. Systematic random sampling was used to select women, and the data were collected by face-to-face interview using a structured, pretested, and interviewer-administered questionnaire. The collected data were entered into Epi Data version 3.1 and analyzed by SPSS version 23. A binary logistic regression model was used to identify determinants of early discontinuation of etonogestrel sub-dermal implant. Statistical significance was declared at a p value of less than 0.05, and adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was used to identify determinants of early discontinuation of etonogestrel sub-dermal implant in the final model. Result: In this study, not receiving pre-insertion counseling (adjusted odds ratio = 3.19, 95% confidence interval: (1.61, 6.30)), having a history of abortion (adjusted odds ratio = 2.89, 95% confidence interval: (1.50, 5.54)), contraceptive side effects (adjusted odds ratio = 2.45, 95% confidence interval: (1.99, 3.91)), and not receiving an appointment for a follow-up visit at the time of insertion (adjusted odds ratio = 3.45, 95% confidence interval: (1.89, 5.99)) were determinants of early discontinuation of etonogestrel sub-dermal implant. Conclusion: Not receiving pre-insertion counseling, having a history of abortion, contraceptive side effects, and not receiving an appointment for a follow-up visit at the time of insertion were predictors of early discontinuation of etonogestrel sub-dermal implant. Thus, healthcare professionals should give an appointment for a follow-up visit at the time of insertion and provide detailed counseling for all women, not only for those who had had an abortion and contraceptive side effects.

Factors Influencing Discontinuation of Long-Term Contraceptive Methods

“…Irregular menstruation may not cause serious health problems but interferes with daily activities, especially sexual activity with husbands (Weldekidan et al, 2022). This is in line with what was stated by Yimer et al, (2022) that although it does not have a serious effect on women's health, they are more worried about sexual relations as a result of unfavorable bleeding patterns.…”