2014.
Rationale, design, and cohort enrolment of a prospective observational study of the clinical performance of the new contraceptive implant (Femplant) in Pakistan.
Azmat SK(1), Hameed W(1), Lendvay A(2), Shaikh BT(3), Mustafa G(1), Siddiqui
MA(1), Brohi S(1), Karim A(1), Ishaque M(1), Hussain W(1), Bilgrami M(1),
Feldblum PJ(2).
Author information:
(1)Research, Monitoring and Evaluation Department, Marie Stopes Society, Karachi,
Pakistan.
(2)FHI 360, Durham, NC, USA.
(3)Health Services Academy, Islamabad, Pakistan.
INTRODUCTION: The use of hormonal implants has gained positive traction in family planning programs in recent times. Compared to other popular methods, such as long-term reversible intrauterine devices, the use of hormonal implants as a family planning method has distinct advantages in terms of long-term efficiency and better user compliance and availability. This paper presents a study protocol to document and evaluate the efficacy, safety, and acceptability of Femplant
(contraceptive implant) in Pakistan during the first year of its use among married women of reproductive age (18-44 years) at clinics in two provinces of
Pakistan (Sindh and Punjab).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 724 married women were enrolled in a noncomparative prospective observational study. The study involved six government clinics from the Population Welfare Department in Sindh Province and 13 clinics run by the Marie Stopes Society (a local nongovernmental organization) in both provinces. The participation of women was subject to voluntary acceptance and medical eligibility. All respondents were interviewed at baseline and subsequently at each scheduled visit during the study period. Side effects, complications and adverse events, if any, were recorded for every participant at each visit to the facility.
DISCUSSION: Over the next 5-year period (2013-2018), 27 million hormonal implants
will