Compliance and user satisfaction with the intra-uterine contraceptive device in Family Planning Service: the results of a survey in Fife, Scotland, August 2004.
OBJECTIVE
The study was designed to assess user satisfaction and duration of use of intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) in Fife.


METHODS
A questionnaire was given to 254 women attending a Fife Family Planning Clinic, in whom an IUD had been fitted over 3 years ago, with a 71% response rate.


RESULTS
The majority of respondents were over age 30 years (81%) and parous (91%). The most frequently used IUD was the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS: 39%), with the rest of the coils being an assortment of copper-medicated coils. Side effects were common, occurring in 92% of users and compliance was low, with 23% using for less than 1 year. Comparisons between LNG-IUS and other IUD-users showed similar side-effects, although mood disorders were higher with LNG-IUS.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall satisfaction rates with the family planning service were high. Methods to improve IUD uptake and compliance are needed, particularly in younger women and nulliparous women.
Tewari
Rupa
R
Carnegie Clinic, Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland.
Kay
Vanessa J
VJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007434:Intrauterine Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007436:Intrauterine Devices, Medicated / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012606:Scotland; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D016912:Levonorgestrel