Contraceptive implant study not complete yet<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The National Family Planning Board has delayed
\nthe introduction of one-pellet implants called Implanon pending
\nthe result of further study by the University of Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\"The study by the university's School of Medicine is not
\ncomplete yet,\" Elizabeth Kuji, of the board's contraceptives
\nbureau, said on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Implanon, a contraceptive for a period of up to three years,
\nwas originally planned to be launched late last year as an
\nalternative to Norplant, a six-pellet implant designed as a five-
\nyear birth control method.<\/p>\n
Norplant is now used by some 1.5 million out of 20 million
\nwomen using contraceptives in Indonesia since its official use in
\nthe national family planning program in 1987.<\/p>\n
\"After the study is completed we still have to seek approval
\nfrom the Ministry of Health,\" Kuji told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
She was responding to questions on the plan of the National
\nFamily Planning Board (BKKBN) to introduce a new type of implant
\nwith two pellets from Finland, which was raised on Wednesday in a
\nhearing at the House of Representatives.<\/p>\n
The Board's deputy, Loet Affandi, assured members of the
\nCommission VIII which oversees health issues that the government
\nwould not rush the introduction of the new contraceptive.<\/p>\n
\"The government is not reckless in selecting contraceptives,\"
\nhe said in response to a question from Khofifah, a member of the
\ncommission who expressed concern for the safety of women
\nregarding the use of the new implant.<\/p>\n
\"We request BKKBN place emphasis on the safety of women in
\nintroducing this new method,\" Khofifah said.<\/p>\n
Kuji said the implants with fewer pellets will be more
\npractical for those who want two to three years of birth control.<\/p>\n
The BKKBN officials said \"relatively few\" complaints have been
\nreported related to the use of Norplant, a hormonal contraceptive
\nlike the pill and injections.<\/p>\n
Kuji said that irregular menstruation is one of the complaints
\nof implant users, which must be reported.<\/p>\n
Loss or addition of weight are other effects. \"Reports of
\nheadaches may only be psychological and can be treated through
\ncounseling,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Researchers said some of the problems regarding contraceptive
\nusage often originate from the lack of information given by
\nmedical and non-medical staff and field officers who administer
\nimplants and other contraceptives.<\/p>\n
Very often, they neglect basic requirements on applying birth
\ncontrol methods, such as prior examination of a woman's physical
\ncondition and counseling.<\/p>\n
Implants, for instance, are not recommended for women with
\nhypertension, the researchers said.<\/p>\n
Endah Triwiati of the Center of Women Studies at the
\nUniversity of Indonesia said a study conducted last year on
\nreproductive health revealed that \"there were no follow-up
\nexaminations\" on women using various birth control methods.<\/p>\n
The study, which she said is near completion, involved 100
\nrespondents in rural and urban areas including North Sukabumi and
\nLembang in West Java and Jagakarsa in South Jakarta.<\/p>\n
\"Respondents had little information on birth control choices.
\nThose who reported complaints such as dizziness continued using
\ncontraceptives because they were afraid of getting pregnant,\"
\nTriwiati said.<\/p>\n
\"None of the couples used condoms; the women are in a low
\nbargaining position,\" she added.<\/p>\n
The Kalyanamitra Foundation is also planning studies on women
\nusing Norplant.<\/p>\n
\"Studies are necessary, due to the government's preference for
\ncontraceptives designed for longer periods of birth control and
\nless frequent needs for examination, compared to other methods,\"
\nsaid Ita Fatia Nadia of the Foundation.<\/p>\n
She referred to a 1992 study on the use of Norplant in West
\nSumatra, conducted by the Andalas University of Padang for BKKBN,
\nwhich also revealed shortcomings in the staff authorized to
\nadminister contraceptives.<\/p>\n
It was found that among 156 doctors, midwives and field
\nofficers, 62 percent attended trainings on inserting implants but
\nonly 49 percent learned how to remove them.<\/p>\n
And only 8.5 percent knew that Norplant is no longer effective
\nafter five years, according to the survey. (anr)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/contraceptive-implant-study-not-complete-yet-1447893297",
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