Intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD): acceptability and effectiveness in a tertiary institution

Abstract

This was a retrospective study of 2648 clients who accepted intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCDs) at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital between January 1990 and December 1996 and were analyzed for socio-demographic characteristics, side effects, complications, reasons for discontinuation in relation to duration of use, age and parity. There were 6178 acceptors of family planning methods giving an IUCD's acceptance rate of 42.9%. The mean age and parity of the acceptors were 31.7± 5.7years and 4 respectively. Most of the clients were married and had formal education. Of the 859 (32.4%) clients who discontinued the use of method to plan for another pregnancy 799 (93%) were in the age range 20-34years; while 756 (88%) of them were parity one to four. 294 (49%) out of the 600 (22.7%) continuous users already had 5 to 6 children. The continuation rate at the end of one year and two years respectively were 75.1% (1989) and 61.7% (1633). 3.8% (101) discontinued the use of the method because of heavy bleeding. Removal for pelvic inflammatory disease was 1.7% (44); out of which 0.2% (6) discontinued use in the first 3months of insertion Expulsion rate was 2.5% (65). The first year expulsion rate was 2.1% (55); out of which 436 % (94) occurred in the first 3months. Unexpected pregnancy occurred in 0.3% (9). In conclusion the IUCD method of family planning was found to be the most commonly chosen, highly effective with a high continuation rate at one year. The side effects and complications were minimal.