TITLE:
Factors Influencing the Choice between IUD and Implant among Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptive (LARCs) Users in Burkina Faso
AUTHORS:
Lonkila Moussa Zan, Georges Guiella
KEYWORDS:
Modern Contraceptives, Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs), Contraception, Family Planning, Autonomy, Burkina Faso
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Reproductive Sciences,
Vol.11 No.4,
September
4,
2023
ABSTRACT: Background: Long-acting and reversible contraceptive
methods hold great potential as solutions to address the unmet need for
contraception and the significant
discontinuation rates, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Among these methods,
the Implant has gained popularity in sub-Saharan Africa, whereas the
utilization of Intrauterine Devices (IUDs) has remained comparatively low,
particularly in Burkina Faso. This study aims to evaluate the shifts in IUD and
Implant usage from 2010 to 2020 and to pinpoint the factors influencing the
choice of IUDs among LARCs users in Burkina Faso. Data and Methods: We conducted an analysis using data from Burkina Faso, drawn from the 2010
Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) and the 2020 PMA Phase 1 data. The 2010 DHS garnered responses from 17,087
women aged 15 - 49, achieving a response rate of 98.4%. The 2020 PMA
data collected responses from 6590 women aged 15 - 49, with a response rate of
95.8%. The final sample of Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs) users
consisted of 1502 women, including 576 women from the 2010 survey and 926 women
from the 2020 survey. Results: The study demonstrates an expansion of
IUD usage to include socioeconomically disadvantaged segments among LARC users.
However, higher levels of education, older age, and decisions influenced by
healthcare providers are correlated with the preference for IUDs over Implants.
The choice of IUDs is also connected to a comprehensive understanding of
contraceptive methods, suggesting potential biases in the counseling process. Conclusion: Facilitating the broader adoption of IUDs among disadvantaged groups could
be achieved by improving the accessibility of IUD products and services in
rural areas. Nevertheless, there should be focused initiatives to enhance
access to removal services, as this factor could dissuade specific users.
Further efforts are required to train healthcare providers, aiming to mitigate
biases in delivering Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs). Providers
should provide impartial counseling, irrespective of the selected type of LARC.