title: Acceptability of levonorgestrel subdermal implants versus tubal ligation for long-term contraception in a rural population of Zimbabwe.
abstract: This prospective cohort study of 257 rural Zimbabwean women was designed to compare patient satisfaction with levonorgestrel subdermal implants (Norplant and reg;) versus tubal ligation (TL) as a method of long-term contraception. Women were equally satisfied with both methods. At 1 year, 96% of Norplant users and 97% of the TL group reported being "satisfied" or "very satisfied," and 98% of Norplant users, and 99% of the TL cohort would recommend their chosen method to a friend or relative. Rating scores at both 6 months and 1 year were high and equal, with women in each cohort rating their method, on average, as 9 out of 10. Norplant users were significantly more likely to rate birth spacing as a reason for satisfaction with their method, whereas women in the TL cohort were more likely to select multiparity. The 1-year continuation rate with Norplant was 90%, with 4% discontinuing in order to have more children. Selecting the most appropriate method depends primarily on the potential desire of the woman to have more children.
authors.affiliation: The Salvation Army Howard Hospital, 45 Josiah Chinamano Avenue, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Mitchel
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Thistle
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004343:Drug Implants; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016912:Levonorgestrel; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012423:Rural Health; D013246:Sterilization, Tubal; D015030:Zimbabwe / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D004343:Drug Implants; D016912:Levonorgestrel