Pharmacist-administered subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate: a pilot randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
The objectives of this study were to assess the feasibility of administering subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-SC) in a pharmacy setting and assess patient satisfaction.


METHODS
Fifty women, at least 18 years of age, presenting to a family planning clinic to initiate, continue or restart any form of DMPA were randomized to receive two subsequent injections at a nearby pharmacy by trained pharmacists or at the clinic. Women completed two follow-up surveys to rate their satisfaction with DMPA-SC and their clinic/pharmacy experiences.


RESULTS
The relative risk of returning and receiving a second DMPA-SC injection of women randomized to the pharmacy compared with those randomized to the clinic was 0.73 (95% CI 0.42-1.27). The relative risk of returning and receiving a third DMPA-SC injection was 0.75 (95% CI 0.39-1.46). Most women found the pharmacy setting convenient (70%), private (100%), the providers respectful (100%) and were satisfied with DMPA-SC and the pharmacy as a clinical site (> or = 89%). No significant difference in patient satisfaction with location, convenience, privacy, and respect from providers was found between study groups (p>.05), nor were there significant differences in attitudes or satisfaction among women between their two follow-up injections.


CONCLUSIONS
Administration of DMPA-SC by pharmacists in a pharmacy setting is feasible. Continuation rates and patient satisfaction with DMPA-SC and the pharmacy setting were comparable to those who received DMPA-SC in a family planning clinic.
Picardo
Carla
C
Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. picardoc@yahoo.com
Ferreri
Stefanie
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003267:Contraception / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010595:Pharmacists; D010865:Pilot Projects; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate