[Tolerance and acceptability of Norplant contraceptive devices]

Norplant implants have been used for long-lasting contraception in Senegal since 1986. The purpose of this work was to assess tolerance and acceptability of the method among Senegalese women.

A prospective non-comparative study including 300 women was undertaken in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic at the University Teaching Hospital A Le Dantec of Dakar between December 1986 and July 1991. Women meeting inclusion criteria were seen at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after insertion then every 6-month until device removal.

The mean age of women was 31.3+/-5.45 years and mean parity was 4.7+/-2.45. Almost half of the women no longer desired pregnancy and 67.6% of the women who had not used contraceptive method the month before admission decided to use Norplant. During follow-up visits, 45.2% had menstrual side effects mainly amenorrhea 23.4% and irregular bleeding 12.5%. Non-menstrual side effects were local reactions at the implant site (19.9%). The other side effects were dizziness, asthenia, insomnia, anemia, and high blood pressure and weight change. Overall, 58.8% of the women kept their implants and had them removed after 5 years of use. The failure rate was 3.3+/-1.25. At the end of five years of use, satisfaction was 84.8% and nearly two-thirds of the women decided to recommend Norplant to a friend or relative or to use it again.

Norplant is a method of choice among the range of contraceptive methods available in Senegal. Because of its advantages and its ease of use, Norplant could be a widely used method in Senegal.