title: Self-administration of subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate for contraception: feasibility and acceptability.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objectives of the study were to assess feasibility, continuation rates and patient satisfaction with self-administration of subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-SC).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 50 DMPA-seeking women between the ages of 18 and 49 years enrolled at two Florida Planned Parenthood health centers. Participants were taught self-injection during their initial study visit and, upon proficiency, self-injected one dose in clinic. Participants then injected a series of three more doses outside the health center over 9 months. Continuation rates, feasibility and acceptability were determined by analysis of four postinjection surveys.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Continuation of DMPA-SC at injection 4 was 74% (95% confidence interval 62%-86%). Overall, survey responses from the three at-home injections indicated the method to be convenient (95%), easy (87%) and recommendable to others (94%). Twenty percent of injections were met with difficulty, most commonly cited as plunger resistance. No pregnancies occurred in study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Continuation was high with DMPA-SC self-injection. Participants reported injection to be easy and convenient and are likely to recommend self-administration to other women. Device issues are one potential deterrent.
authors.affiliation: Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA. suzie.prabhakaran@myplannedparenthood.org
authors.forename: Sujatha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Prabhakaran
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sweet
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012646:Self Administration; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014837:Voluntary Health Agencies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate