FHI 360 has studied the safety, effectiveness, and acceptability of contraceptive implants for decades, and we work with partners in many countries so that women can have greater access to this long-acting contraceptive. In collaboration with governments and local health institutions, we helped to introduce Norplant--the first commercially available implant--to many parts of the world in the 1980s and 1990s. FHI 360, with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, currently facilitates the global introduction of Sino-implant (II), a low-cost, high-quality, two-rod implant.
Contraceptive implants, which are inserted under the skin of a woman's upper arm, are a reversible method of contraception that can be safely used by most women who want to space or limit their pregnancies. Despite low rates of use in many parts of the world, the demand for implants appears to be increasing. Implants are among the most effective contraceptive methods available, with similar clinical efficacy as sterilization and intrauterine devices. When a woman has an implant removed, her fertility returns immediately. Implants require no regular action on the part of the user, and no routine clinical follow-up is needed. Recently, a modeling exercise conducted by FHI 360 scientists showed that if 20% of oral contraceptive or injectable users in sub-Saharan Africa transitioned to contraceptive implants, an estimated 1.8 million unintended pregnancies and 10,000 maternal deaths could be averted over a five-year period.1
The most common types of contraceptive implants include Implanon (one rod, registered for three years of use); Jadelle (two rods, registered for five years of use); and Sino-implant (II), which is currently marketed as Zarin in much of Africa (two rods, registered for four years of use). Norplant (six rods, registered for five years of use) was discontinued in 2008. The clinical efficacy of one-rod and two-rod implants is comparable to that of Norplant, and side effects are similar. When compared with Norplant, however, all of the newer implants are more easily inserted and removed.
1. Hubacher D, Mavranezouli I, McGinn E. Unintended pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa: magnitude of the problem and potential role of contraceptive implants to alleviate it.
Contraception 2008;78:73-78.
Selected Materials
Implant toolkit on Knowledge for Health Web site
Fact sheet: Contraceptive Implants (2009)
Project: Sino-implant (II) (2010)
Evidence on implants: Quick Reference Guide to Family Planning Research (2010)
Research brief: Preliminary Report: Contraceptive Implants in Sub-Saharan Africa--Reaching Young Women (2010, PDF, 165 KB)
Advocacy briefs: Long-Acting and Permanent Methods: Addressing Unmet Need for Family Planning in Africa (2008)
Job aid: Checklist for Screening Clients Who Want to Initiate Contraceptive Implants (2008)
Article: The Future of Contraceptive Implants in Africa (Family Health Research, 2008, Volume 2, Issue 1)
