Two-year contraceptive continuation rates among immediate postpartum implant users at a district hospital in Malawi: a prospective cohort study

Abstract

Objective: To compare 2-year continuation rates in Malawian women undergoing immediate postpartum insertion of the levonorgestrel implant or etonorgestrel implant.

Study design: We followed 159 women who underwent immediate postpartum levonorgestrel implant or etonorgestrel implant insertion at Kasungu District Hospital for up to 2 years.

Results: We analyzed continuation data on 145 (92.4%) implant users. The 2-year continuation rates were 93.4 (95% CI 86.5-96.8) for levonorgestrel implant and 96.3 (95% CI: 76.5-99.5) for etonorgestrel implant (p=.268).

Conclusions: Immediate postpartum implant insertion of both the levonorgestrel and etonorgestrel implant had high continuation rates at 2 years in Malawian women.

Implications: Immediate postpartum implant insertion of both the levonorgestrel and etonorgestrel implant had continuation rates of over 90% at 2 years among our population of Malawian women. Both implants should be offered routinely to eligible and interested women prior to hospital discharge after delivery.

Keywords: Africa; Continuation; Implant; Malawi; Postpartum.