DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2015.v03i02.049

Pages: 777-782

The intrauterine devices (IUD) are widely used contraceptive methods all over the world. They are cheap, durable and very effective. This is a retrospective study directed at evaluating the request for temporary contraception over a 5-year period (01 January, 2004 to 31 December, 2008) in the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital with a closer look on the Cu T380A IUDS – its frequency of usage, reasons for removal and failure rate. The emphasis on IUD was because it was the most requested form of temporary contraception. Within this period, it was provided free by a non-governmental organization promoting safe motherhood in the state. The data on users of the various forms of temporary contraception provided by the family planning clinic of this centre from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2008 were collated. The records of users of intrauterine devices during same period were then analyzed. The inclusion criteria were all patients who enrolled for family planning in the clinic. Intrauterine device (IUD) was the commonest form of contraception used within this period with a rate of 45.06%. There was a yearly increase in request for IUD over the period. Out of 6,337 users of the method, 2196 (34.65%) belonged to the age group of 25 – 29. There was a corresponding decrease in request for the method with age, accounting for 9 (0.14%) at age 50 and above. Only 5.13% of the users requested for reversal. The major reason for removal was the desire for pregnancy (51.38%).