Introducing the hormonal Intrauterine Device in Madagascar, Nigeria, and Zambia: results from a pilot study

Abstract

Plain language summary The hormonal IUD is a popular contraceptive method choice where it is available. While the method has been around for decades it remains out of reach for many populations in low- and middle-income countries. The hormonal IUD offers both highly effective protection from pregnancy as well as non-contraceptive benefits that appeal to users in the US and Europe, but there is limited evidence available to explore the acceptability and use of this method among users in lower resource settings. This research looks at the profile of users who chose to use the hormonal IUD during a pilot introduction in Madagascar, Nigeria, and Zambia. Over a period of 12 months, researchers followed up with these users to understand who continued to use the method over time and their satisfaction with the method. Findings show that the hormonal IUD was broadly appealing in these settings among users from multiple demographic segments, including among users who had not used other methods of contraception in the past. When followed-up at 3 and 12 months, satisfaction with the method was high and most users in all three countries were still using the method. The findings suggest that the hormonal IUD could be well received and may contribute to greater uptake of voluntary modern contraception in lower resource settings.

Keywords

• Hormonal IUD
• Hormonal IUS
• LNG-IUS
• LARC
• Continuation
• Satisfaction