title: The cost-effectiveness of a long-acting reversible contraceptive (Implanon) relative to oral contraception in a community setting.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Within the setting of a UK community sexual health service, the cost-effectiveness of Implanon and oral contraception provision over a 36-month period was compared.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case-controlled retrospective cost-effectiveness study was done on a cohort of 493 Implanon users and 493 oral contraceptive users. The actual cost of provision of both methods was calculated. Cost-effectiveness was calculated based on provision of method and pregnancy costs of each cohort.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Implanon provision is more cost-effective than oral contraception at all time points. After 12 months of use, Implanon is half the cost of oral contraception. Oral contraception reached similar annual cost to Implanon at 36 months of use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Long-acting reversible contraception is perceived to be expensive. It is reassuring to contraception providers that Implanon is, in fact, highly cost-effective when compared to oral contraception with typical use.
authors.affiliation: Community Gynaecology and Sexual Health, Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust, Torfaen, UK. clare.lipetz@gwent.wales.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Clare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lipetz
authors.forename: Ceri J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Charlotte F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Fleming
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D017135:Desogestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; C044815:etonogestrel; D017135:Desogestrel