From Awareness to Autonomy: Exploring the Knowledge Gap and Acceptability of Self-Injectable DMPA-SC among Women in Central India.

BACKGROUND

Self-administered subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-SC) provides a novel contraceptive modality that can expand access, autonomy, and continuation rates, especially among low-resource populations. While endorsed worldwide, the use and awareness of DMPA-SC in India remain undocumented.

OBJECTIVES

To assess awareness, acceptability, and willingness toward self-administration of DMPA-SC among married women of reproductive age in central India.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 320 women aged 18-49 years at a tertiary hospital in central India. Data were collected through pretested questionnaires assessing sociodemographic factors, contraceptive history, knowledge of intramuscular DMPA (DMPA-IM) and DMPA-SC, and willingness for self-injection.

RESULTS

While 90% had heard of DMPA-IM, no participant had heard of DMPA-SC before. Despite this, 78% showed interest in learning about DMPA-SC and were ready to self-administer after demonstration (62.5%). The most prominent motivators were saving time (37.5%) and decreasing travel expenses (18.8%). Barriers for using DMPA were fear of side effects and myths like infertility or chances of abortion.

CONCLUSION

DMPA-SC awareness does not exist among women in central India, but acceptability for self-injection is high when accompanied by education. Inclusion within India's family planning basket, combined with systematic training for community health workers and information, education, and communication interventions, can increase contraceptive accessibility and autonomy.