The discontinuation rate and reasons for discontinuation of implanon at the family planning clinic of University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu, Nigeria.

Background: In spite of the popularity and effectiveness of the Implanon among family planning clients at University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (U.N.T.H) Enugu Nigeria, some users discontinued its use for a variety of reasons.

Objective: To determine the Implanon discontinuation rate and reasons for discontinuation among women attending University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (U.N.T.H) Enugu, Nigeria.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective survey comprised 63 women who had Implanon implant discontinued out of 295 women who had Implanon inserted between 2006 and 2008. The records of patient at the Family Planning Clinic of the hospital were analysed. The main outcome measured was Implanon discontinuation.

Results: Sixty-three (21.4%) of women who had Implanon implant during this period discontinued its use. The discontinuation rate within six months of use was 3.0%, within one year, 8.1% and within two years, 19.3%. Thirty-six (12.2%) discontinued Implanon because of side effects while 27 (9.2%) discontinued because of desire for pregnancy. Fifteen (41.7%) out of the 36 women who discontinued because of side effects had menstrual abnormalities. Headache and dizziness accounts for the majority (38.1%) of non-menstrual reasons for discontinuation. There was no pregnancy recorded. All those who discontinued Implanon within six months ofuse were because of side effects.

Conclusion: The discontinuation of Implanon before its expiration is low once the users are adequately counseled. Implanon is well accepted among our clients but cost affect its wider use.