Publication:

Single rod subdermal implant: acceptance and problems associated with it at a tertiary care centre in Southern Rajasthan

Background The government of India expanded the contraceptive basket under national family planning program by the inclusion of subdermal contraceptive implants (single rod) in the year 2023. In our institute, RNT medical college and attached hospitals, Udaipur, the insertion and use of the implant, after adequate training sessions, began in September 2023. Since then, there has been slow, but sure acceptance of the Implant as a contraceptive. This study aims to provide demographic data of its users, data of the follow up, and the problems encountered by users as well as data on early removal of implant and the reasons for it.

Methods This is a prospective cohort study, conducted at the department of obstetrics and gynaecology at RNT medical college and attached hospitals, Udaipur. Study conducted from September 2023 to July 2024 time period.

Results The implant was introduced in our institute as a contraception option in September 2023. No particular trend could be detected with regard to numbers of insertion of the implant. The mean age of the users is 27.9±11.3 years, with majority of its users belonging to the age group of 25-29 years and maximum number of insertions happened immediately post-partum, before the patient was discharged from hospital. The mean number of living children was 2. A majority of women had 2 living children at the time of insertion (regardless of parity).

Conclusions Large number of women are accepting of the implant as a method of contraception. From our findings, limited though they may be, we conclude that the average user of the implant is a woman between 25-29 years of age with two living children. The biggest problem, we face at present, is lack of follow up.