Acceptability and side effects of cyclofem [copy right sign] once-a-month injectable contraceptive in Kerman, Iran

ABSTRACT

When family planning programmes offer a wide variety of contraceptives, contraceptive prevalence would be higher overall. To determine the acceptability of Cyclofem [copy right sign] and to evaluate its side effects and continuation rate in Iran. An introductory study of Cyclofem [copy right sign] was conducted in seven districts of Kerman Province, the largest province of Iran, in three phases. At first, 14394 women attending randomly selected urban and rural health centers representing different socioeconomic classes were invited to choose Cyclofem [copy right sign] after a standard schedule of counseling. At the second phase 418 of those who accepted Cyclofem [copy right sign] and 354 of those who refused to use the method were randomly selected to participate in an interview. At the third the first group was followed up for one year at regular one-month intervals. Nearly 12.6% [n=1809] of 14394 women counseled to choose Cyclofem [copy right sign] accepted the contraceptive method. They had a mean [ +/- SD] age of 28.5 [ +/- 6.5] years. Fear of side effects was the most common cause of refusal to use Cyclofem [copy right sign]. The one-year continuation rate was 21.2%. The three main side effects leading to early discontinuation of Cyclofem [copy right sign] were nausea [18%], prolonged menses [15.8%], and amenorrhea [14.7%], respectively. The one-year continuation rate of Cyclofem [copy right sign] use in Iran has been lower than other counties. Further research is necessary to improve continuation rates