Abstract

Introduction: IUD and implants are long-acting reversible contraceptive methods (LARC) and they are very effective in preventing pregnancy. In Chile, implants of etonogestrel and the IUD with copper 380A are available in the public health system. Objectives: Describe the use of LARC and non-LARC in women of the public health system of Chile (2016). Methodology: Cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative study. We analysed the annual national consolidated of the Ministry of Health of Chile, dated December 2016, of women in control according to fertility regulation method (N¼1,509,045). Tables were made where data was crossed. Ethical considerations: National data were analysed, therefore ethical considerations were not violated. Results: The contraceptives used are COC¼27.4% (n¼414,117), IUD¼21.2% (n¼320.216), CIC¼15.5% (n¼233.507), implant¼ 12.4% (n¼187,660), DMPA¼10.6% (n¼160,554), POP¼9.1% (n¼137,516) and male condom¼3.8% (n¼55,475). The women who use LARC (implant and IUD) correspond to 33.7% (n¼507,876) of the analysed population (n¼1,509,045). The group aged 19 years and under (n¼200,346) there is the lowest percentage of use of LARC (23.5%, n¼47,013). The group of 50–54 years (n¼47,659) it has the highest percentage of use of LARC (53%, n¼25,243), followed by the group of 45–49 years (40.9%, 44,530). Of the total number of women using IUD (n¼320,216), the lowest percentage corresponds to the group of 19 and fewer years with 2.4% (n¼7756). The group of 30–34 years represents the highest percentage with 17.2% (n¼55,180). Of the total number of women using implants (n¼187,660), the lowest percentage corresponds to the group of 45 years and over (2%, n¼3702). The group of 20–24 years represents the highest percentage with 28.4% (n¼53.288). There were 5774 implant extractions before 36 months in the second semester of 2016, which is equivalent to 3% of the total number of women implant users. The group of 19 and under presented the lowest percentage of anticipated withdrawal (2.3%, 900/39,257) and the group of 50 to 54 years the highest percentage (5%, 33/657). Conclusions: In the population studied, the use of LARC is lower compared to non-LARC. The users of LARC are equivalent to half of the non-LARC users (33.7% vs. 66.3%). The age groups where there is less use of LARC (15 years and less and 15–19 years), coincide with the groups where there is the highest percentage of unplanned pregnancy in the Chilean Public Health System.