Author(s)

Sosthène Mayi-Tsonga, Jacques Bang Ntamack, Boniface Sima-Ole, Pamphile Assoumou Obiang, Ulysse Minkobame, Doris Ngouafo

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of University Hospital of Libreville, Gabon, Africa.
Faculty of Health Sciences of Libreville, Gabon, Africa.

Objectives: To determine the percentage of women who accepted a LARC after abortion, specify the interval time for the insertion of the LARC and compare such interval time with that of injectable and oral contraceptives. Patients and Methods: This is a prospective, descriptive and comparative study conducted in Libreville (Gabon), from February 1, 2013 to August 31, 2013. After receiving post-abortion care (PAC), all patients with stable general states were counseled about three types of contraceptive methods: combined oral contraceptive pills, LARCs (Jadelle? implants, Copper IUDs) and injectable Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (DMPA). Results: 231 women received PAC and among them 215 (93%) wanted to use one of the three proposed contraceptive methods. At the end of the study, only 193 women (89.7%) used contraception and 22 others (10.3%) abandoned their intentions. LARCs were used by 31 (16.0%) women. The average period for the insertion of LARCs was 15.4 ± 15.5 days with extremes of 1 to 53 days. This period for the insertion of LARCS was significantly longer than that of other methods (p < 0.001). LARCs were inserted more often after the 2^nd day than immediately (same day) with a highly significant difference (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: LARCs could constitute an appropriate approach to reducing unintended pregnancies in Gabon. However, in order to increase their rates of use, it is necessary to improve women awareness.

Unsafe Abortion; Contraception; LARC; Period for the Insertion of LARCs; Gabon

Mayi-Tsonga, S. , Ntamack, J. , Sima-Ole, B. , Obiang, P. , Minkobame, U. and Ngouafo, D. (2014) LARCs after unsafe abortion in Libreville (Gabon): Women accept quickly but the time interval for the insertion is longer than that of injectable contraceptives. Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 4, 23-27. doi: 10.4236/ojog.2014.41005.