Purpose: We compared the immediate administration of DMPA (Depo Now) to the immediate use of short-term hormonal methods that served as a "bridge method" until later DMPA initiation. We examined whether Depo Now, as compared to initiating with a bridge method (pills, transdermal patch, or vaginal ring), resulted in greater DMPA continuation at six months.
Methods: Young women aged 14 to 26 years seeking to use DMPA were randomized (nonblinded) after meeting eligibility criteria to either the Depo Now (n = 101) or bridge method (n = 232) group. Depo Now subjects received their first injection of DMPA at the conclusion of their first visit provided each was medically suitable and had a negative urine pregnancy test regardless of menstrual cycle day. Those assigned to the bridge method group were allowed to choose their starting contraceptive method and it was provided at the first visit. All subjects were told to return to the clinic in 21 days to repeat the urine pregnancy test, and among those who were assigned to use a bridge method, to receive their first injection of DMPA. All subjects were followed to their third injection, or about 6 months later.
Results: Those randomized to a bridge method were 1.8 (1.1, 2.9) times more likely than Depo Now subjects to return for their 21-day repeat pregnancy test, but only 55% (n = 125) of these young women actually received their first DMPA injection. Continuation rates at the third injection were 29.7% (n = 30) for those in the Depo Now group and 21.1% (n = 49) for those assigned to the bridge method (p = .09). Three factors were significantly associated with adherence to the third injection: randomized to Depo Now group, knowing more women who use DMPA, and returning to clinic for the 21-day repeat pregnancy test visit. Finally, 28 pregnancies were diagnosed during the study period, and those in the bridge method group were almost 4.0 (1.2, 13.4) times more likely to be diagnosed with a pregnancy than those in the Depo Now group.
Conclusions: Immediate administration of DMPA is associated with improved adherence to DMPA continuation and fewer pregnancies.