Women’s Acceptance Of Self-Administered Hormonal Contraceptives

ABSTRACT

Background: Injectable contraceptives are the most used form of contraception in Ghana. Its introduction was faced with misconceptions, doubt and disbelief. DMPA-IM is the first choice of injectable administered by service providers in health care centres in Ghana. DMPA-SC is a subcutaneous form of injectable that can be self-administered. Socio-cultural values and factors affect patient’s willingness to accept and access self-administered hormonal contraceptives.

Objective: The objective of the study was to find out the pre-product level of acceptance of self-administered hormonal contraceptive (DMPA-SC) in Ghana.

Methodology: Patients on provider administered hormonal contraceptive were interviewed at the Dansoman Polyclinic. In-depth interviews were conducted within a period of two weeks. Thirty-five patients and four service providers were interviewed to assess their knowledge on the product and also to determine factors affecting their willingness to access self-administered hormonal contraceptives.

Results: Service providers strongly recommend intensive training on the use of self-administered contraceptive to patients before its introduction. According to service providers, easy access to the product, availability and price are the main determinants of patient’s willingness to accept. Patients believe that price of the product and its accessibility at both the pharmacy and hospital will increase the number of people willing to access this method. Also patients agree that proper training on self-administration is required to assure safety and prevention of self-inflected injury. Factors such as level of education, privacy and wealth are also determinants in patient’s willingness to access self-administered contraceptives.

Conclusion: All service providers were ready to accept the product and to counsel patients in their choice making. Patients will accept the product based on the differing factors. The determining factors should be addressed before the introduction of self-administered hormonal contraceptive.

Keywords: Contraception, acceptance, determinants, self-administered, preference