Norplant as a contraceptive device in Enugu, eastern Nigeria

This paper is an evaluation of acceptability and use-experience with the contraceptive device Norplant at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Eastern Nigeria. Over a period of 36 months, 173 women (8% of the clinic population) accepted the implant. Use of Norplant was concentrated among high-parity women, and the proportion of Norplant users was highest among women aged 30-34 years. Comparing Norplant and IUD users, we found Norplant users to be significantly less highly educated with < 1% of Norplant users having tertiary education compared to 25% of new IUD users. The continuation rate with Norplant was 89% at three years, suggesting this method has the potential for improving the low contraceptive prevalence in this region.