Profile of Implanon® acceptors and pattern of side effects

ObjectiveTo determine the social and biological characteristics of Implanon® acceptors at Ibadan Nigeria, and also to describe reasons why they opt for this choice and their concerns.MethodsThis was a descriptive study that retrospectively reviewed all records of the Implanon® acceptors from January 2006 to December 2009 at University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.ResultsOne hundred and twenty-eight women accepted Implanon® as a modern contraception accounting 4.3% of the total number of clients seen (2 972) during the period. The age range of the client that accepted Implanon® was 26–43 years with a mean of 33.6 ±2.4 years. Of the 128 Implanon® acceptors, 101 (78.9%) had used other contraceptive methods before. The commonest reason for switching to Implanon® by clients was failure of the contraceptive method that was previously used (32.7%). Within the first year follow-up of insertion, none of the Implanon® acceptors had expressed desire for removal due to any of the side effects, and none contraceptive failure was observed during their follow-up evaluation.ConclusionThe findings suggest that Implanon® could safely be used by all women of reproductive age group including those who desire future fertility.