The authors found that women who self-administered subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-SC) led to a more than 50 percent increase in pregnancy protection through 12 months compared with provider-administered injection. The findings demonstrate that self-injection can address the stubborn problem of early contraceptive discontinuation and that community health workers can safely train women to self-inject. Malawi plans to introduce DMPA-SC self-injection based on these positive findings.
Effect of self-administration versus provider-administered injection of subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate on continuation rates in Malawi: A randomised controlled trial
Written By
Burke HM, Chen M, Buluzi M, Fuchs R, Wevill S, Venkatasubramanian L, Dal Santo L, Ngwira B