A better future for injectable contraception?

doi:10.9745/GHSP-D-14-00158

Provision of injectables though drug shops appears practicable and can contribute a marked share of family planning services.
A potential longer-acting injectable providing at least 6 months of protection appeals to programmatic professionals.
Subcutaneous administration of DMPA offers major injectable improvements over the current intramuscular approach.
Ironically, while injectable use will inevitably grow, better choice and wider availability of other methods—especially of long-acting and permanent methods—will reduce injectables′ overall share.

PLUSES AND MINUSES OF INJECTABLES

Injectables are a leading method in much of the developing world. They have many advantages for the client, the provider, and the system (Table). All the same, the dominant injectable DMPA (depot medroxyprogesterone acetate) in its current intramuscular (IM) form has some pretty important drawbacks—notably, side effects, higher blood levels than needed for most of the 3-month duration, provider bias, possible role in HIV acquisition, and requirement for repeated visits that are a burden to both the system and the client. Despite DMPA's high popularity, continuation rates …

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