Discontinuation rate of Implanon and its associated factors among women who ever used Implanon in Dale District, Southern Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Early discontinuation of the Implanon contraceptive method and reasons for such discontinuation remains a major concern for family planning programs. In less developed countries, contraceptive discontinuation due to health concerns is generally higher, these complaints are often related to service quality. Significant numbers of women become exposed to conception after discontinuation and accidental pregnancies that end up with abortion & stillbirth. The aim of this study was to assess the early discontinuation rate of Implanon and identify its associated factors among women who ever used Implanon in 2016 in Dale district, Southern Ethiopia. METHODS: Community based cross-sectional study design was conducted from January to February, 2017. A total number of 711 women who ever used Implanon in 2016 were selected using multistage sampling. The data were entered and cleaned in Epi Info and analyzed using SPSS. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the effect of factors on the outcome variables. Finally, the results were presented using adjusted odds ratio (AOR) & confidence interval of 95%. RESULT: Early Implanon discontinuation rate in this study was 160 (23.4%) with a mean duration of Implanon use of 9.6 ± 2.5 months. The main reasons for discontinuation of Implanon were 55 (34.4%) the facing of side effects. Factors for discontinuation of Implanon were women age 20–24 years (AOR =. 44 (95% CI: 23-. 85), 25–29 years (AOR =. 52 (95% CI: 27-. 96), 35+ years, (AOR =. 08 (95% CI: 02-. 41), less likely to discontinue. Women who weren’t counseled about the side effects during Implanon insertion were 1.93 times (AOR = 1.93 (95% CI: 1.27–2.93), women who didn’t satisfied by the service (AOR = 2.55(CI: 95%: 1.63–3.97), women who didn’t appointed for follow up (AOR = 3.13 (CI: 95%: 2.0–4.95), women who didn’t choose the method by themselves (AOR = 1.83 (CI: 95%: 1.18–2.83) and women who didn’t have information on family planning before Implanon insertion (AOR = 1.52 (CI: 95%: 1.1–2.28) were the predictors of Implanon discontinuation. CONCLUSIONS: Implanon discontinuation rate in this study area was high. Appropriate counseling prior to insertion and proper follow up, autonomous choice will improve the continuation rate of Implanon.