Dataset Information

A prospective cohort study of the feasibility and acceptability of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate administered subcutaneously through self-injection.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Evidence on contraceptive self-injection from the United States and similar settings is promising, and the practice may increase access. There are no published studies on the feasibility of contraceptive self-injection in sub-Saharan Africa to date. The purpose of this study was to assess feasibility of subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate self-injection in Uganda, with specific objectives to (a) measure the proportion of participants who self-injected competently, (b) measure the proportion who self-injected on time 3 months after training (defined conservatively as within 7 days of their reinjection date) and (c) assess acceptability.

Study design

In this prospective cohort study, 380 18-45-year-old participants completed self-injection training by licensed study nurses, guided by a client instruction booklet, and practiced injection on prosthetics until achieving competence. Nurses supervised participants' self-injection and evaluated injection technique using an observation checklist. Those judged competent were given a Sayana® Press unit, instruction booklet and reinjection calendar for self-injection at home 3 months later. Participants completed an interview before and after self-injection. Nurses visited participants at home following reinjection dates; during the follow-up visit, participants demonstrated self-injection on a prosthetic, injection technique was reevaluated, and a postreinjection interview was completed.

Results

Of 368 participants followed up 3 months posttraining, 88% [95% confidence interval (CI)=84-91] demonstrated injection competence, and 95% (95% CI=92-97) reinjected on time, while 87% (95% CI=84-90) were both on time and competent. Nearly all (98%) expressed a desire to continue.

Conclusions

Self-injection is feasible and highly acceptable among most study participants in Uganda.

Implications

The first research results on contraceptive self-injection in sub-Saharan Africa indicate initial feasibility and acceptability of the practice 3 months after women received one-on-one training and a highly visual training and memory aid. Results can inform self-injection programs which aim to increase women's autonomy and access to injectable contraception.

SUBMITTER: Cover J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5356471 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

A prospective cohort study of the feasibility and acceptability of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate administered subcutaneously through self-injection.

Cover Jane J Namagembe Allen A Tumusiime Justine J Lim Jeanette J Drake Jennifer Kidwell JK Mbonye Anthony K AK

Contraception 20161024 3

<h4>Objectives</h4>Evidence on contraceptive self-injection from the United States and similar settings is promising, and the practice may increase access. There are no published studies on the feasibility of contraceptive self-injection in sub-Saharan Africa to date. The purpose of this study was to assess feasibility of subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate self-injection in Uganda, with specific objectives to (a) measure the proportion of participants who self-injected competently, ( ...[more]

PMID: 27789309

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Project description:ObjectivesExpanding contraceptive options through self-injection may improve access and confidentiality. There are few published studies on contraceptive self-injection in sub-Saharan Africa and none in West Africa, a region with high unmet need. This study was performed to assess feasibility of subcutaneous DMPA self-injection in Senegal; objectives were to (1) measure the proportion of participants who self-injected competently 3 months after training, (2) measure the proportion who self-injected on time (defined conservatively as within 7 days of reinjection date), and (3) assess acceptability of self-injection.Study designIn this prospective cohort study, 378 women aged 18-49 years were trained to self-inject by study nurses. Three months later, women returned unprompted to the clinic to self-inject, and technique and visit timing were evaluated. Women continuing with a third self-injection were followed up at home after their next scheduled injection date. At each interaction, participants were interviewed to learn about their experience; additional questions during the final home visit focused on storage and disposal practices, and acceptability.ResultsAmong the 337 participants followed up 3 months post-training, 310 self-injected, and 87% did so competently. Factoring in women who declined to self-inject, electing to have the provider administer the injection instead, a total of 80% [95% confidence interval (CI)=75-84%] self-injected competently 3 months post-training, and 84% [95% CI=80-88%] reinjected on time, while 72% [95% CI=67-77%] were both on time and competent. The vast majority (93%) expressed a desire to continue.ConclusionsSelf-injection is feasible and acceptable among most study participants in Senegal.ImplicationsThese first research results on contraceptive self-injection in West Africa indicate initial feasibility and acceptability of the practice. Results underscore the importance of designing self-injection programs that empower and support women, including those with limited education.

Project description:Since the introduction of subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-SC) in 2018, Malawi has achieved national coverage of trained providers in the public sector and steady increases in uptake of DMPA-SC. However, the rate of clients opting to self-inject DMPA-SC has remained lower than early acceptability studies suggested. Providers play an instrumental role in building client confidence to self-inject through counselling/training. This cross-sectional qualitative study explored the perspectives of providers and injectable clients on the integration of self-injection into contraceptive counselling, to identify best practices and potential gaps. The study was conducted at public sector sites in three districts (Nkhotakota, Mzimba South, Zomba) in Malawi. In-depth interviews were conducted with provider-administered injectable clients, self-injecting clients, and DMPA-SC trained providers. All providers interviewed reported successfully integrating self-injection into their approach. During group health education sessions, some providers reported focusing on benefits of self-injection to spark interest in the method, and then follow that up with more in-depth information during individual counselling. Due to time pressures, a minority of providers reported replacing individual counselling with small-group counselling and limited use of elements such as visualizations and demonstrations. Most providers skipped client practice on inanimate objects, feeling this was either not necessary or inappropriate given stock constraints. Self-injection clients tended to credit their decision to take up SI to receiving lengthy, comprehensive counselling/training, often inclusive of reassuring messages, visualizations, demonstrations and sometimes repeated trainings over time. Provider-administered clients tended to credit their lack of uptake of self-injection to fear and lack of confidence, often blaming themselves instead of the quality of their counselling/training-even while many felt their counselling/training had been rushed or incomplete. Providers should be supported to overcome time- and resource-pressures to invest in counselling/training best practices, to ensure sufficient support is provided to clients interested in self-injection.

Project description:ObjectiveTo examine the rate of ovulatory disruption when intramuscular depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) is administered across graded stages of dominant follicle development.Study designWe assigned enrolled participants to one of three preassigned dominant follicle size groups: 12-14?mm, 15-17?mm and?? 18?mm. We followed dominant follicles via serial transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) until the follicles reached their assigned size, at which time we administered DMPA. For 5 consecutive days thereafter, we followed the follicles via TVUS to observe follicle rupture and obtained serum luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, and progesterone concentrations. In the following 2 weeks, we collected serum progesterone concentrations twice weekly to detect possible ovulatory delay or dysfunction. We also collected serum medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) concentrations at 1 and 24?h after DMPA administration to examine against ovulatory outcomes.ResultsTwenty-six of 29 enrolled women completed the study. DMPA suppressed ovulation in 17/26 (65%) and caused ovulatory dysfunction in 1/26 (4%) participants. Larger follicles were more likely to rupture despite DMPA (12-14?mm: 0/10 (0%); 15-17?mm: 3/10 (30%); ? 18?mm: 6/6 (100%); p?<?.01). Pre-DMPA LH concentrations ranged from 13.8 to 93.7?IU/L (mean 49.0?IU/L) in cases of follicle rupture. We observed no cases of follicle rupture when DMPA was administered through cycle day 12. All 24-h MPA concentrations exceeded those needed for ovulation suppression.ConclusionDMPA suppressed and additionally disrupted ovulation in 65% and 4% of observed cycles, respectively. DMPA may provide effective emergency contraception as well as ongoing contraception if administered prior to an expected ovulation and specifically before the LH surge.ImplicationsDMPA may be an alternative form of emergency contraception that can also self-bridge to ongoing contraception. As ovulation was not observed among any follicles when DMPA was given through cycle day 12, women who initiate DMPA up through cycle day 12 may not require backup contraception.

Project description:ObjectivesTo evaluate feasibility, acceptability, continuation, and trough serum levels following self-administration of subcutaneous (sc) depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA).Study designWomen presenting to a family planning clinic to initiate, restart or continue DMPA were offered study entry. Participants were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to self- or clinician administered sc DMPA 104 mg. Those randomized to self-administration were taught to self-inject and were supervised in performing the initial injection; they received printed instructions and a supply of contraceptive injections for home use. Participants randomized to clinician administration received usual care. Continued DMPA use was assessed by self-report and trough medroxyprogesterone acetate levels at 6 and 12 months.ResultsTwo hundred fifty women were invited to participate, and 137 (55%) enrolled. Of these, 91 were allocated to self-administration, and 90/91 were able to correctly self-administer sc DMPA. Eighty-seven percent completed follow-up. DMPA use at 1 year was 71% for the self-administration group and 63% for the clinic group (p=0.47). Uninterrupted DMPA use was 47% and 48% for the self and clinic administration groups at 1 year (p=0.70), respectively. Serum analyses confirmed similar mean DMPA levels in both groups and therapeutic trough levels in all participants.ConclusionsSixty-three percent of women approached were interested in trying self-administration of DMPA, even in the context of a randomized trial, and nearly all eligible for enrollment were successful at doing so. Self-administration and clinic administration resulted in similar continuation rates and similar DMPA serum levels. Self-administration of sc DMPA is feasible and may be an attractive alternative for many women.ImplicationsSelf-administration of sc DMPA is a feasible and attractive option for many women. Benefits include increased control over contraceptive measures and less time spent on contracepting behaviors. Globally, self-administration has the potential to revolutionize contraceptive uptake by increasing the number of women with access to DMPA.

Dataset Information

A prospective cohort study of the feasibility and acceptability of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate administered subcutaneously through self-injection.

Objectives

Study design

Results

Conclusions

Implications

Publications

A prospective cohort study of the feasibility and acceptability of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate administered subcutaneously through self-injection.

Similar Datasets

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