Evaluation of Subcutaneous Contraception for Patient Self-Administration at North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System.

Abstract

Background: Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) is an injectable progestin-only contraceptive available in intramuscular and subcutaneous formulations. Initially, DMPA required administration by a health care professional. The World Health Organization now recommends patients be offered the option to self-administer injectable contraception using the subcutaneous form of DMPA (DMPA-SC). Self-administered DMPA-SC removes barriers to administration, increases patient autonomy, and improves contraceptive continuation rates.

Observations: This medication use evaluation assessed the impact of an initiative at North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System (NFSGVHS) to offer patients self-administered DMPA-SC. A retrospective chart review of electronic health records was conducted for patients who received ≥ 1 outpatient prescription for DMPA-SC from June 1, 2022, to July 1, 2023. Forty patients initiated self-administered DMPA-SC. A subgroup of patients were contacted via telephone as a follow-up to determine if there were unmet needs for ongoing contraceptive care.

Conclusions: The uptake in prescribing suggests that clinicians and patients have embraced self-administration of DMPA-SC within the NFSGVHS.