Norplant implants acceptability and user satisfaction among women in two African countries

An analysis of 350 users of Norplant contraceptive subdermal implants from six centers in two African countries (Ghana and Nigeria) indicates that method acceptability remained high among the women who used the method for five years. Overall, 90.1% of the 155 five-year users in these countries reported having a very favorable experience and 9.9% a favorable experience with Norplant implants. Ease of use was cited by 56.1% and duration of use by 13.6% of the women as the most liked characteristics of the method at study completion after five years. Menstrual disturbance was the least liked aspect, by 41.9% of the women. On average, women who discontinued early from the study had fewer living children and were more likely to desire additional children at method adoption than those who completed five years of use; the differences were statistically significant. Differences in level of education and previous use of contraception were not found to be statistically significant between completers and non-completers. Differences in age were not significant in Nigeria, but were marginally significant in Ghana, with completers being older than non-completers. Of the clients who completed this study, 79.2% indicated a desire to continue with contraception and 43.9% planned to have a second set of implants inserted. These findings have important implications for counseling, method access and service sustainability in African countries.