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Experiences of Accessing and Providing Contraceptive Implant Removal Services in Gaborone, Botswana: A Qualitative Study Among Implant Users and Healthcare Providers

ABSTRACT: Introduction: This study explored implant user and healthcare provider experiences of accessing and providing contraceptive implant removal services in Gaborone, Botswana, following introduction of the implant in the public sector in 2016. We sought to understand reasons for satisfaction and dissatisfaction with services and their potential impact on wider perceptions of the implant, including influence on future uptake. Methods: Qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews. Participants comprised ten women who had previously undergone implant removal, and ten providers whose work included provision of implant insertion and removal. Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Results: Seven of the ten users in this study had experienced a delay between initial request and undergoing implant removal. This interval ranged from <1 week to 3 months. Users identified the principal barriers to accessing implant removal services as lack of access to trained removal providers, inconvenient appointment times, and provider resistance to performing removal. Nine of the ten providers in this study had experienced barriers to providing implant removal, including insufficient training, lack of equipment, lack of time, and lack of a referral pathway for difficult removals. Despite experiencing barriers in accessing removal, users' perceptions of the implant remained generally positive. Providers were concerned that ongoing negative user experiences of removal services would damage wider perceptions of the implant. Conclusion: Introduction of the contraceptive implant in Botswana has been an important strategy in increasing contraceptive choice. Following an initial focus on provision of insertion services, the development of comparable, accessible removal services is critical to ensuring that the implant remains a desirable contraceptive option and is vital to upholding women's reproductive health rights. The experiences of users and providers in this study can inform the ongoing development of services for implant insertion and removal in Botswana and other lower-resource settings.

SUBMITTER: Howett R

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8593984 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:IntroductionAvoiding unintended pregnancies is important for the health of adolescents living with HIV and has the additional benefit of preventing potential vertical HIV transmission. Health facility providers represent an untapped resource in understanding the barriers and facilitators adolescents living with HIV face when accessing contraception. By understanding these barriers and facilitators to contraceptive use among adolescent females living with HIV, this study aimed to understand how best to promote contraception within this marginalized population.MethodsWe conducted structured in-depth interviews with 40 providers at 21 Family AIDS Care & Education Services - supported clinics in Homabay, Kisumu and Migori counties in western Kenya from July to August 2014. Our interview guide explored the providers' perspectives on contraceptive service provision to adolescent females living with HIV with the following specific domains: contraception screening and counselling, service provision, commodity security and clinic structure. Transcripts from the interviews were analyzed using inductive content analysis.ResultsAccording to providers, interpersonal factors dominated the barriers adolescent females living with HIV face in accessing contraception. Providers felt that adolescent females fear disclosing their sexual activity to parents, peers and providers, because of repercussions of perceived promiscuity. Furthermore, providers mentioned that adolescents find seeking contraceptive services without a male partner challenging, because some providers and community members view adolescents unaccompanied by their partners as not being serious about their relationships or having multiple concurrent relationships. On the other hand, providers noted that institutional factors best facilitated contraception for these adolescents. Integration of contraception and HIV care allows easier access to contraceptives by removing the stigma of coming to a clinic solely for contraceptive services. Youth-friendly services, including serving youth on days separate from adults, also create a more comfortable setting for adolescents seeking contraceptive services.ConclusionsProviders at these facilities identified attitudes of equating seeking contraceptive services with promiscuity by parents, peers and providers as barriers preventing adolescent females living with HIV from accessing contraceptive services. Health facilities should provide services for adolescent females in a youth-friendly manner and integrate HIV and contraceptive services.

Project description:ObjectiveTo evaluate topiramate and etonogestrel pharmacokinetic interactions in contraceptive implant users.MethodsWe conducted a prospective, noninferiority study with healthy women using etonogestrel implants continuously for 12-36 months. We measured baseline serum etonogestrel concentrations and then began a 6-week titrated topiramate regimen to standard migraine (100 mg/day) and epilepsy (400 mg/day) dosages. We repeated serum etonogestrel concentrations at 3 weeks (100 mg/day), 4 weeks (200 mg/day), and 6 weeks (400 mg/day) of topiramate therapy. We measured etonogestrel using a validated liquid chromatography-tandem, mass-spectrometry assay and tested for noninferiority (less than 30% decrease) in serum etonogestrel concentrations from baseline.ResultsWe enrolled 48 total participants; 32 completed 3 weeks, 31 completed 4 weeks, and 27 completed all follow-up visits. Participants' median age was 25.3 years (range 18.3-37.2), median body mass index (BMI) was 25.5 kg/m2 (range 18.7-42.2), and median duration of implant use was 24 months (range 12-36). Median etonogestrel concentrations were 142 pg/mL (range 76.2-771) at baseline, 126 pg/mL (range 72.4-585) at 3 weeks, 119 pg/mL (range 65.6-542) at 4 weeks, and 105 pg/mL (46.2-859) at 6 weeks. The 95% CIs for mean percent change in serum etonogestrel concentrations from baseline were [-37.3%+16.9%], [-45.4%+5.2%], and [-66.8%+24.8%] at 3 weeks, 4 weeks, and 6 weeks, respectively. Excluding one participant who had a serum etonogestrel concentration less than 90 pg/mL at baseline, 30.8% of participants (8/26, 95% CI 14.3-51.8%) had a serum etonogestrel concentration less than 90 pg/mL at 6 weeks.ConclusionThough only a mild enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drug, concomitant topiramate use led to inferior serum etonogestrel concentrations among implant users, with a significant proportion reaching etonogestrel concentrations below the threshold for ovulatory suppression when taking antiepileptic dosages of topiramate.Funding sourceThis study was primarily funded through an Investigator-Initiated Study grant from Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp [MISP#57073]. This work was also supported by NIH/NCATS CTSA Grant Number UL1 TR001082 and NICHD K12 Women's Reproductive Health Research Scholar Program (grant number 5K12HD001271-18).Clinical trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03335163.

Project description:ObjectiveTo estimate whether serum etonogestrel concentrations influence bleeding patterns and related side effects in contraceptive implant users.MethodsWe conducted a prospective cross-sectional study with healthy, reproductive-aged women using etonogestrel implants for 12-36 months. Participants completed a brief questionnaire to assess their current bleeding pattern and any experience of abnormal bleeding with the implant. We then measured serum etonogestrel concentrations. We also reviewed the charts of participants to determine whether a prescription for oral contraceptive pills was ever given for treatment of implant-related bothersome bleeding. We performed multivariable logistic regression to test for associations between serum etonogestrel concentrations and both bleeding patterns and related side effects.ResultsWe enrolled 350 women, and 59.4% reported having experienced abnormal bleeding with the contraceptive implant. Only 14.9% of participants reported amenorrhea and 37.7% reported monthly periods. Among participants with reviewable medical records (n=253), roughly 20% had received a prescription for oral contraceptive pills during implant use. Increasing serum etonogestrel concentrations were significantly associated with increasing odds of reporting abnormal bleeding (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.005, P=.015) and increasing odds of having received an oral contraceptive pill prescription (aOR 1.008, P=.002). For every 100 pg/mL increase in serum etonogestrel concentration, contraceptive implant users in this study had 1.6 times the odds of reporting abnormal bleeding and 2.3 times the odds of having received a prescription as treatment for bothersome bleeding.ConclusionWe found both objective and subjective evidence that higher levels of progestin from the contraceptive implant were associated with bleeding side effects experienced by women in this study. Pharmacologic variation may influence the side effects women experience with a variety of hormonal contraceptive methods, in turn affecting patient satisfaction and discontinuation rates.

Project description:ObjectiveTo determine whether serum etonogestrel concentrations in contraceptive implant users are associated with certain individual patient characteristics.Study designWe enrolled reproductive-age women using etonogestrel contraceptive implants between 12-36 months duration and measured a single serum etonogestrel concentration. Participants also completed a questionnaire about demographics.ResultsWe enrolled 350 participants; median age was 22.5 years (range 18.0-39.1), median months of implant use was 26.0 (range 12.0-36.0), and median body mass index was 25.7 kg/m2 (range 18.5-52.0). Our study population was primarily white/Caucasian (46.6% [163/350]) and Hispanic/Latina ethnicity (51.4% [180/350]). The median serum etonogestrel concentration was 137.4 pg/ml and etonogestrel concentrations varied 12.4 fold in the population (range 55.8-695.1 pg/ml). Using forward stepwise linear regression, months of implant use (β=-1.74, p<.001) and body mass index (β=-3.10, p<.001) were both significantly associated with decreased serum etonogestrel concentration with Black/African American race as a positive effect modifier (β=18.24, p=.099); R-squared for the model=0.13.ConclusionsIndividuals demonstrated a wide variability in serum etonogestrel concentrations, which can potentially affect side-effect profiles and efficacy. Increasing body mass index and longer duration of implant use were associated with small decreases in serum etonogestrel concentrations, while self-reported Black/African American race was associated with a non-significant increase. Despite these findings, most of etonogestrel variability was unaccounted for, suggesting that other clinical, pharmacologic, and genetic factors contributing to variability in etonogestrel concentrations remain to be determined.ImplicationsAlthough increases in body mass index are associated with lower etonogestrel levels in contraceptive implant users, the majority of women will maintain serum concentrations that consistently suppress ovulation. Furthermore, certain patient characteristics can only explain a small portion (13%) of the variability in serum etonogestrel levels among contraceptive implant users.

Project description:ObjectiveTo evaluate whether a short course of tamoxifen decreases bothersome bleeding in etonogestrel contraceptive implant users.MethodsIn a 90-day, double-blind randomized control trial, we enrolled etonogestrel implant users with frequent or prolonged bleeding or spotting. A sample size of 40 per group (N=80) was planned to compare 10 mg tamoxifen or placebo twice daily for 7 days after 3 consecutive days of bleeding or spotting no more than once per 30 days (maximum three treatments). Participants then entered a 90-day open-label study where all received tamoxifen if needed every 30 days (maximum three treatments). Participants used text messages to record daily bleeding patterns. Our primary outcome was the total number of consecutive amenorrhea days after the first treatment. Secondary outcomes included time to bleeding or spotting cessation and restart after first treatment, overall bleeding patterns, and satisfaction.ResultsFrom January 2017 to November 2018, 112 women enrolled in the study; 88 (79%) completed 90 days, and 79 (71%) completed 180 days. Participant characteristics did not differ between groups; mean age 24, majority identified as white not Hispanic with at least some college education. After the first treatment, the tamoxifen group reported an average of 9.8 (95% CI 4.6-15.0) more consecutive days of amenorrhea and more total days of no bleeding (amenorrhea or spotting) in the first 90 days (median 73.5 [range 24-89] vs 68 [range 11-81], P=.001). The placebo group showed a similar treatment benefit after first active use of tamoxifen in the open-label phase. At the end of the randomized study (first 90 days), women who received tamoxifen reported higher satisfaction (median 62 mm [range 16-100]) than those treated with placebo (46 mm [range 0-100]; P=.023).ConclusionA short course of tamoxifen reduces problematic bleeding and improves satisfaction in users of etonogestrel implants.Clinical trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02903121.

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Experiences of Accessing and Providing Contraceptive Implant Removal Services in Gaborone, Botswana: A Qualitative Study Among Implant Users and Healthcare Providers

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