Incidence and predictors of first-year unplanned discontinuation of Implanon at Ayder comprehensive specialized hospital, northern Ethiopia: A retrospective follow-up study

Discontinuing contraception without switching to a different type of family planning (FP) method contributes to unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion. Unplanned discontinuation of Implanon (which is discontinuation of Implanon without switching, but not for reasons of wanting to get pregnant) during the first year and its possible determinants have not been well investigated in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the incidence and predictors of unplanned discontinuation of Implanon during the first year. A retrospective follow-up study was conducted among 413 consecutive series of eligible women at Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Northern Ethiopia. Data were drawn from both FP initiation and removal registration books and from contacting users by phone over a one-year period (April 2016 and March 2017). The inclusion of the categorical predictor in the final Cox model was considered if the test had a P-value of