Non-physician insertion of IUDs: clinical outcomes among TCu380A insertions in three developing-country clinics

Insertion of IUDs by trained non-physicians is increasing. This secondary analysis of TCu380A IUD acceptors collected at clinics in Nigeria, Turkey and Mexico involved 367 women; 193 insertions were performed by physicians and 174 by non-physicians. Women having their IUD inserted by a non-physician were more likely to experience a pain-free insertion, but also likelier to have the IUD removed for bleeding and pain or to experience an expulsion than women who had their IUD inserted by a physician. Early discontinuation rates were similar between the two groups. Overall continuation rates were statistically higher for IUDs inserted by physicians only at the Mexico site. Trained non-physicians can probably safely insert the TCu380A IUD. Appropriate competency-based training is required to limit the number of expulsions and removals for bleeding and pain by non-physicians.