Depot-Medroxyprogesterone Acetate Contraception Use Among Salvadoran Women: An In-Depth Analysis of Attitudes and Experiences

Abstract Objective: To survey a cross-section of reproductive-age Salvadoran women in order to assess the factors that influence their decision to use depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), an injectable form of contraception. Methods: Reproductive-age women at three rural Salvadoran health clinics were asked to participate in a study to assess their current and past experiences using DMPA contraception. Verbal informed consent was obtained, and research coordinators administered a 23-question survey. Results: Surveys were completed in 425 women with an average age of 27.36 years. Average duration of DMPA contraception use was 2.89 years. The majority (84%) of past and present users were very satisfied with DMPA contraception, most commonly because they did not have to remember to use it daily (44.9%). The side effects of DMPA appear to be a significant indicator of whether women heard about and wanted to use other forms of long-term reversible contraception, such as an intrauterine device (IUD) or imp...