Potential barriers to the removal of Norplant among family planning clinic patients.

Objectives: This study examined the prevalence and effects of potential barriers to removal of levonorgestrel implants (Norplant) among low-income women.

Methods: A sample of 687 women who received Norplant at hospital-based family planning clinics were interviewed before Norplant insertion and 6 months after Norplant insertion (or at Norplant removal if removal occurred earlier). Those who continued to use Norplant were reinterviewed at 2 years or at removal.

Condom use among women choosing long-term hormonal contraception.

Context: Women who rely on long-term hormonal contraception may neglect to use condoms, and thus increase their risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS.

Methods: Data from a prospective, multisite study were collected to examine the probability of condom use among 1,073 new users of either the contraceptive implant or injectable; users were interviewed when they accepted their method and again six months to one year later. Multivariate logistic regression analyses identified factors that significantly predicted the likelihood of dual method use.

Compliance with depot medroxyprogesterone acetate: a randomized, controlled trial of intensive reminders.

We enrolled women in a prospective, randomized study to determine whether an intensive reminder system would improve compliance in women receiving depot medroxyprogesterone injections. Women selecting this treatment were assigned to a group that received both mail and telephone reminders or to a second group that received only a scheduled appointment at the time of the previous injection. The rate of continuation and the rate of on-time injections did not differ between groups.

Depressive symptoms and Norplant contraceptive implants.

Women enrolled in a multicenter prospective study were evaluated to identify any possible relationship between depressive symptoms and the use of contraceptive implants. Women choosing Norplant implants (n = 910) were evaluated before starting this contraceptive and were reinterviewed at 6 months and 2 years. Women who continued the method had lower depressive symptom scores before initiating Norplant implants than did the women who discontinued the method or who were lost to follow up.

Depressive symptoms and Depo-Provera.

Women enrolled in a multicenter prospective study were evaluated to identify any possible relationship between depressive symptoms and the use of contraceptives. Women choosing Depo-Provera (n = 495) were evaluated before starting these contraceptives and were reinterviewed 1 year later. Women who continued the method had lower depressive symptom scores at baseline than did the women who discontinued the method or who were lost to follow-up.