Citation
Tumlinson, Katherine; Senderowicz, Leigh; Bullington, Brooke W.; Chung, Stephanie; Goland, Emilia; Zimmerman, Linnea; Gichangi, Peter; Thiongo, Mary; Guiella, Georges; & Karp, Celia (2023). Assessing Trends and Reasons for Unsuccessful Implant Discontinuation in Burkina Faso and Kenya Between 2016 and 2020: A Cross-Sectional Study. BMJ Open, 13(7), e071775. PMCID: PMC10357675Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Contraceptive implant use has grown considerably in the last decade, particularly among women in Burkina Faso and Kenya, where implant use is among the highest globally. We aim to quantify the proportion of current implant users who have unsuccessfully attempted implant removal in Burkina Faso and Kenya and document reasons for and location of unsuccessful removal.METHODS: We use nationally representative data collected between 2016 and 2020 from a cross-section of women of reproductive age in Burkina Faso and Kenya to estimate the prevalence of implant use, proportion of current implant users who unsuccessfully attempted removal and proportion of all removal attempts that have been unsuccessful. We describe reasons for and barriers to removal, including the type of facility where successful and unsuccessful attempts occurred.
FINDINGS: The total number of participants ranged from 3221 (2017) to 6590 (2020) in Burkina Faso and from 5864 (2017) to 9469 (2019) in Kenya. Over a 4 year period, the percentage of current implant users reporting an unsuccessful implant discontinuation declined from 9% (95% CI: 7% to 12%) to 2% (95% CI: 1% to 3%) in Kenya and from 7% (95% CI: 4% to 14%) to 3% (95% CI: 2% to 6%) in Burkina Faso. Common barriers to removal included being counselled against removal by the provider or told to return a different day.
CONCLUSION: Unsuccessful implant discontinuation has decreased in recent years. Despite progress, substantial numbers of women desire having their contraceptive implant removed but are unable to do so. Greater attention to health systems barriers preventing implant removal is imperative to protect reproductive autonomy and ensure women can achieve their reproductive goals.
URL
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2023-071775Reference Type
Journal ArticleYear Published
2023Journal Title
BMJ OpenAuthor(s)
Tumlinson, KatherineSenderowicz, Leigh
Bullington, Brooke W.
Chung, Stephanie
Goland, Emilia
Zimmerman, Linnea
Gichangi, Peter
Thiongo, Mary
Guiella, Georges
Karp, Celia
Article Type
RegularPMCID
PMC10357675Data Set/Study
Performance Monitoring for Action (PMA) ProjectContinent/Country
Burkina FasoKenya
Sex/Gender
WomenORCiD
Tumlinson - 0000-0001-8314-8219Bullington - 0000-0002-3341-087X