Addressing Unmet Need for Long Acting Family Planning in Ethiopia - Uptake of Implanon and Characteristics of Users

Objective: To describe women who accept Implanon from community health workers in Ethiopia and to assess whether community-based provision addresses unmet need for contraception.

Methods: Women who accepted Implanon during Implanon training in 4 regions of Ethiopia were asked about their characteristics and use of family planning. They were compared with clients accepting other methods and with women with unmet need nationally. Differences between groups were tested with chi-square, Fischer’s Exact, and t-tests as appropriate.

Results: Implanon acceptors were older (28.3 vs. 26.7 years) and less educated (1.7 vs. 2.3 years) than clients who selected other methods. Almost one quarter (22.9%) of all clients had never used contraception before and this was higher among clients who chose Implanon (23.1% vs. 16.4%, p=0.04). Acceptors were also less likely to be using contraception (70.8% vs. 77.3%, p<0.05) but all clients interviewed were more likely to be using contraception than the rural population (17%). Clients who accepted Implanon were younger (1.5 years) but more educated (29.3% vs 16.5% completed primary education) than women with unmet need for contraception nationally.

Conclusion: Provision of Implanon through community-health workers at the community-level is effective in reaching those women who have greatest need for contraception.