REASONS FOR COMMENCING AND DISCONTINUING CONTRACEPTION WITH NORPLANT - A REVIEW OF LOCAL EXPERIENCE

A comparison is made of data available from two studies. The first exa mined factors associated with the choice of Norplant as a potential me thod of contraception by women considering Sour long-acting methods. I n the second study this data is compared with similar information obta ined from those who did eventually accept the method and those who, ha ving done so, sought removal of the implants. We conclude, in line wit h experience elsewhere, that the long-acting nature of and ease of com pliance with, Norplant are the most attractive features for accepters and that adverse, bleeding patterns and other hormonal side effects ar e the most frequent reasons for discontinuation. We have, as yet, litt le evidence that age, parity oi-previous contraception ape useful in i dentifying a group with greater or lesser prospects of continuation. T he effect of media publicity on perceptions of the method is also disc ussed.