Abstract
Depo-Provera (depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, or DMPA) is an important contraceptive
option for women worldwide. Currently, it is only available in intramuscular form
requiring regular quarterly routine attendance at a health facility. A new subcutaneous
preparation has been developed. This is self-administrable and could potentially reduce
need for routine attendance to an annual visit.
In a questionnaire survey of 176 women currently using DMPA, 67% would prefer to self-administer.
Of the 33% who did not wish to self-administer, the most common reasons were a fear
of needles (62%) and concern regarding incorrect administration (43%). In a second
survey of 313 women not currently using DMPA, 64% of women said they would prefer
to attend less often for contraceptive supplies. Twenty-six percent of women who had
never used DMPA and 40% of ex-users would seriously consider DMPA if self-administration
were possible.
Our findings would suggest that the advent of subcutaneous self-administrable Depo-Provera
with appropriate training and reminder system is likely to be beneficial and popular
with many women.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
December 6,
2004
Received in revised form:
November 15,
2004
Received:
September 29,
2004
Identification
Copyright
© 2005 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
