Awareness, Acceptance and Complication Rates of Post-Partum Intrauterine Contraceptive Devices at a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Objective: To determine the awareness rate, acceptance rate, and frequency of complications three months after the placement of PPIUCD at Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Teaching Hospital, Gujrat.

Methodology: This descriptive case series was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Teaching Hospital, Gujrat, from February 2022 to February 2023. A total of 200 pregnant women aged between 18-35 years in their last trimester were included. Awareness regarding PPIUCD was assessed using a structured questionnaire. These patients were offered postpartum placement of an intrauterine contraceptive device, and their acceptance was noted. Follow-ups were conducted over the first three months to observe any complications.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 26.5±4.6 years. Among them, there were 59 (29.5%) primiparas, 78 (39.0%) multiparas, and 63 (31.5%) grand multiparas. Only 32 (16.0%) women were aware of PPIUCD, and PPIUCD was accepted by 23 (11.5%) women. Among the 23 women who accepted PPIUCD, six developed complications, resulting in an overall complication rate of 26.1%. The most frequent complication was the loss of thread observed in four (17.4%) cases, followed by pelvic inflammation/infection in three (13.0%) cases and abdominal pain in two (8.7%) cases. Expulsion was recorded in one (4.3%) woman, while there were no cases of perforation.

Conclusion: The acceptance rate of PPIUCD was found to be extremely low, mainly due to a lack of awareness among women and their families. This highlights the necessity for appropriate counseling of pregnant women during antenatal visits to address their myths and phobias, thus improving the postpartum usage of IUCD and increasing birth spacing.