title: Potential barriers to the removal of Norplant among family planning clinic patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the prevalence and effects of potential barriers to removal of levonorgestrel implants (Norplant) among low-income women.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample of 687 women who received Norplant at hospital-based family planning clinics were interviewed before Norplant insertion and 6 months after Norplant insertion (or at Norplant removal if removal occurred earlier). Those who continued to use Norplant were reinterviewed at 2 years or at removal.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In a multivariate analysis, only 1 of the 4 potential barriers--cost--significantly impeded Norplant discontinuation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Family planning clinics need to make clear that they follow a policy of Norplant removal on demand, regardless of the patient's ability to pay.
authors.affiliation: Center for Population and Family Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kalmuss
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cushman
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heartwell
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rulin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000191:economics; D004343:Drug Implants; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D005249:Fees and Charges; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000191:economics; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D011203:Poverty; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D004343:Drug Implants; D016912:Levonorgestrel