Compliance and user satisfaction with the intra-uterine contraceptive device in Family Planning Service: the results of a survey in Fife, Scotland, August 2004.

OBJECTIVES

The study was designed to assess user satisfaction and duration of use of intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) in Fife.

METHODS

A questionnaire was given to 254 women attending a Fife Family Planning Clinic, in whom an IUD had been fitted over 3 years ago, with a 71% response rate.

RESULTS

The majority of respondents were over age 30 years (81%) and parous (91%). The most frequently used IUD was the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS: 39%), with the rest of the coils being an assortment of copper-medicated coils. Side effects were common, occurring in 92% of users and compliance was low, with 23% using for less than 1 year. Comparisons between LNG-IUS and other IUD-users showed similar side-effects, although mood disorders were higher with LNG-IUS.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall satisfaction rates with the family planning service were high. Methods to improve IUD uptake and compliance are needed, particularly in younger women and nulliparous women.