Characteristics of Norplant Users

Objective: To determine whether a profile can be developed to indicate which clients are the best candidates for Norplant by describing the characteristics of clients who use this contraceptive for 5 years and those who have it removed early. Design: A descriptive study of data collected from a convenience sample. Setting: A state-supported university hospital's obstetric and gynecology outpatient clinic serving primarily indigent clients in the southern United States. Participants: Women (N=256), primarily with low incomes, being seen for removal of Norplant contraceptive capsules. Of these, 166 women had completed the recommended 5 years. Main Outcome Measures: Characteristics of the clients who retained the contraceptive for the recommended 5 years and characteristics of clients who came for early removal. Results: Clients who retained the contraceptive for 5 years differed from those who did not on only three characteristics: race, age, and parity. No significant differences were found in education or marital status. Conclusions: No clear profile of successful Norplant users emerged. Instead, thorough counseling of each individual is essential to the client's completion of 5 years with Norplant. Advantages and disadvantages must be explained and the client's tolerance of possible side effects must be assessed, thereby helping the client to make an informed choice. JOGNN 29, 275–281; 2000.