Uptake and Discontinuation of Jadelle Implant Use in University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria

Background: Contraception is known to contribute to a reduction in maternal mortality rates directly. Jadelle implant is a long‑lasting, reversiblecontraceptive that is safe, highly effective, and convenient. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the sociodemographic profile, side effects, and reasons for discontinuation among users of Jadelle in the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Calabar, Nigeria. Methodology: This was a 5‑year retrospective study carried out at UCTH, Calabar, Nigeria. Case files of women who accepted and inserted Jadelle implant between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2017, were retrieved, and data were extracted for the study. Descriptive and analytical statistics of the data using mean and standard deviation were done, and results were presented in frequency and percentage tables. Results: A total of 270 women accepted and inserted Jadelle implant during the period under review with a mean age of 33.0 ± 6.2. Majority of the clients were Christians 98.1%, and 85.9% had at least secondary school education. About half (49.6%) of these women had a desire for future fertility, whereas 49.7% have had four or more children. Sixty‑one percent (61.5%) of the clients had previously used a form of contraception. Menstrual irregularities were the most commonly reported side effect (55.0%) as well as the most common reason for removal and discontinuation of the implant (43.3%). Conclusion: Jadelle is a highly effective, safe, and reversible method of contraception. The most commonly reported side effect was menstrual irregularities, which was also the most common reason for discontinuation in the UCTH, Calabar, Nigeria. Keywords: Calabar, contraception, discontinuation, highly effective, Jadell