Discontinuation of implants use and associated factors among women attending health facility clinics in Hawassa City, Southern Ethiopia, 2019; cross sectional study

Background: Despite improving the availability and use of Implants, discontinuation is becoming a public health concern. A significant proportion of women discontinuing the service before its due date, which is of concern in the health system and its consequence may lead to a program failure. This might have also social and economic consequences for users. Only 8% of married women in Ethiopia use implants. Apart from its low utilization, premature removal is common for unknown reasons. However, there is paucity of information on discontinuation of implants use and associated factors in the study area.

Objective: The study was aimed to assess discontinuation of implants use and associated factors among women attending health facility clinics in Hawassa city, southern Ethiopia, from March, 01-April, 01/2019.

Methods: Facility based cross sectional study design was used. Out of 16 health facilities, 9 of them were selected for this study using simple random sampling. Total sample size of this study was determined to be 351. Data were collected from study subjects using pretested, structured questionnaire through a face-to-face interview. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. The result is presented using the Crude Odds ratio as well as Adjusted Odds Ratio with the corresponding 95% confidence level.

Result: Out of 351 study participants, the overall proportion of implants discontinuation was 49.3%(95% CI: 44.2-55.0). Lack of counseling about side effects (AOR = 2.394; 95% CI: 1.422-4.030), developing side effects (AOR = 6.325; 95% CI: 3.719-10.757) and lack of post insertion follow-up (AOR = 2.241; 95% CI: 1.186-4.234) the major factors associated with discontinuation of Implants.

Conclusion and recommendation: In this study, the overall proportion of discontinuation of Implants among women who were using Implants was high. Health professionals could give pre-insertion counseling about side effects and post insertion dates for follow-up to improve of utilization of implants.