Adolescents' compliance with return visits for depot medroxyprogesterone initiation.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if and when female adolescents choosing depot medroxyprogesterone would return for a second visit for initiation of the method.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review at an adolescent clinic in an urban health department in St. Louis, MO.


METHODS
Female adolescents aged 12-19 years old, at the initial or annual family planning visit, who chose depot medroxyprogesterone (DMPA) as their contraceptive choice but were unable to get the initial injection on the day of the visit.


METHODS
Time to return visit.


RESULTS
A total of 144 subjects were included in the analysis. 92% or 133 subjects returned for a second visit. The average time to return visit was over 3 months, or 104 days (range 1-650 days). Teens who returned in less than 1 month were more likely to receive a hormonal contraceptive method. Only 68% of all returning teens received DMPA while 7% became pregnant prior to their return.


CONCLUSIONS
Protocols requiring a second visit for initiation of DMPA serve as a barrier to contraceptive care.
Department of Pediatrics, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63104, USA. ohlemeye@slu.edu
Chris L
CL
Ohlemeyer
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate