Adherence to contraceptive implants in the Queluz Health Center

Abstract

The authors performed an observational, cross-sectional and descriptive study with the objective of characterising the adhesion to the use of contraceptive implants (68 mg of etonogestrel) among female patients from Queluz Health Centre that had had the implant inserted in this institution, before November 2005 (n = 63). A telephone questionnaire was applied using the implant insertion register and patient computer data. The following variables were studied: patients' age, length of use of the implant, secondary sources of information, reasons for insertion, satisfaction, secondary effects, will to remove, reasons for removal and physician who inserted the implant. Results: 41 women were contacted (65% of the population), aged between 18 and 38 years; 10 women (24%) had had the implant removed and 6 (15%) intended to have it removed before the end of the validity period, due to the occurrence of secondary effects. The main reason for the removal of the implant was amenorrhea, being also the main secondary effect felt by the women who had said to be very satisfied with the implant. The main sources of information on the implant have been physician, friend and nurse. The women who had answered very satisfied with the implant had related sources of complementary information (magazine, television, Internet, and leaflet). Conclusions: The reason why some women tolerate better the secondary effect amenorrhea could be related to better information about the method, which is supported by the fact that they have consulted sources of complementary information. The study suggests that the adhesion to the implant can be improved supplying accurate information on the possibility of occurrence of amenorrhea and for the consultation of wider sources of information, which needs to be confirmed by subsequent studies applied to bigger populations.