RESUMEN
Aims: To re-evaluate intrauterine contraceptive use in Port Harcourt, Southern Nigeria and determine the uptake rate, effectiveness, side effects and discontinuation rate of IUCD. Study Design: Descriptive retrospective analysis. Place and Duration of Study: Family planning clinic, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, between 1st January 2007 to 31st December, 2011. Methodology: The case files of all the clients who accepted intrauterine contraceptive device at the UPTH within the study period were retrieved from the record section of the family planning clinic and studied. Data on the client’s socio-demographic characteristics, complications and reasons for contraception and discontinuation were extracted, entered into SPSS for windows 11.0 version and analysed. Results: Of the 1, 434 new acceptors of contraception during this period, 366 accepted intra uterine contraceptive device giving an uptake rate of 25.5%. The mean age of the clients was 33.32±4.2 years and all were parous. The common complications were menorrhagia and vaginal discharge in 29 (26. 6%) each, abdominal pain in 28 (25.7%) and secondary amenorrhea in 10(9.2%) clients. One unintended pregnancy occurred giving a pearl pregnancy rate of 0.27 per 100 woman years. Up to 108 clients discontinued IUCD use, giving a discontinuation rate of 29.5%. Conclusion: IUCD is a highly effective and safe contraceptive method with a prevalence rate of 25.5% and discontinuation rate of 29.5% in Port Harcourt, southern Nigeria.