DMPA use and patterns of continuation among rural women in Tigrai region, Ethiopia

Ndola Prata, University of California, Berkeley
Amanuel Guessessew, Tigrai Health Bureau
Alice Cartwright, University of California, Berkeley

This paper identifies first time and continuing users, as well as reasons for switching to or continuing use of an injectable contraceptive (DMPA). Participants are from a sample of women of reproductive age who are participating in a study of Safety, Acceptability, Feasibility and Program effectiveness of administering DMPA through formal health facilities using health extension workers (HEWs) versus community-based reproductive health agents (CBRHAs). Data from enrolment and 3-month follow-up survey is compared. Reasons for use, continuation and discontinuation are compared using student T test for comparison of two proportions. Multiple Logistic regression models are run to test for associations between socio-demographic factors and choice of DMPA; patterns of continuations and discontinuation. The main reason for DMPA usage appears to be its convenience, as well as the length of protection. So far, only 4% of the enrolled participants have discontinued use, most of them wanted to get pregnant again.