title: Pilot study of home self-administration of subcutaneous depo-medroxyprogesterone acetate for contraception.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Subcutaneous depo-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-SC) offers the possibility of self-administration.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a pilot study of self-administration of DMPA-SC. Existing users of the intramuscular preparation (DMPA-IM) who wished to self-inject (n=64) were taught self-administration using DMPA-SC. The main outcome was the continuation rate of the method at 12 months compared to a control group of existing users of DMPA-IM (n=64) who continued to attend a clinic to receive the method. Women's satisfaction with the method and the proportion of self-injections given at correct time were also determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 12-month discontinuation rate of the DMPA-SC group (12%) did not differ significantly from that of the DMPA-IM group (22%) (95% confidence intervals of 13%-33% and 6%-23% for DMPA-SC and DMPA-IM, respectively; p=.23). All self-injections were given within the appropriate interval. There was no significant difference in the proportion of women in either group who were satisfied with the method.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self-administration of DMPA-SC for contraception is feasible and is associated with similar continuation rates and satisfaction to clinician-administered DMPA-IM.
authors.affiliation: Chalmers Sexual and Reproductive Health Service, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. sharon.cameron@ed.ac.uk
authors.forename: Sharon T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Cameron
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Glasier
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Johnstone
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005194:Family Practice; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D055118:Medication Adherence; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D009726:Nurses; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012606:Scotland; D012646:Self Administration; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate