Abstract
A wide range of contraceptive options can help each woman find the product and approach that works best for her at different stages of her life. Injectable contraceptives are among the world’s most widely used methods for preventing pregnancy, offering women safe and effective protection, convenience, and privacy. However, injectables are associated with high rates of discontinuation.2 Understanding and addressing reasons for discontinuation can help support women who are not able to immediately switch to a different method and do not wish to become pregnant.
Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) is the most commonly used injectable contraceptive, and it is customarily administered intramuscularly (DMPA-IM; brand name Depo-Provera®). However, a new, easy-to-use, subcutaneous version, DMPA-SC (brand name Sayana® Press), is improving women’s access to injectable contraceptives by facilitating community-based distribution and self-injection.
In Uganda, community-based health volunteers called Village Health Teams (VHTs) have been authorized to provide family planning products, including DMPA injectable contraception, to women in their communities since 2013. Following this authorization and national regulatory approval of Sayana Press in 2014, and building on the Ugandan government’s goal to expand contraceptive access into rural communities, the Ministry of Health introduced VHT-delivered DMPA-SC in 28 districts starting in September 2014.
Please see associated presentation here: https://marketbookshelf.com/publications/presentation-continuation-of-injectable-contraceptives-dmpa-sc-and-dmpa-im-when-administered-by-community-health-workers-in-uganda/
