Contraceptive method switching and discontinuation during the COVID-19 pandemic in Myanmar: findings from a longitudinal cohort study

The objective of this paper was to document contraceptive dynamics and associated correlates of contraceptive method switching and discontinuation in Myanmar during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a secondary analysis of panel data collected between August 2020 and March 2021 among married women...

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Main Authors: Erica Felker-Kantor, Ye Kyaw Aung, Jenny Wheeler, Brett Keller, Mahesh Paudel, Kristen Little, Si Thu Thein
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2023-12-01
Series:Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/26410397.2023.2215568
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author Erica Felker-Kantor
Ye Kyaw Aung
Jenny Wheeler
Brett Keller
Mahesh Paudel
Kristen Little
Si Thu Thein
author_facet Erica Felker-Kantor
Ye Kyaw Aung
Jenny Wheeler
Brett Keller
Mahesh Paudel
Kristen Little
Si Thu Thein
author_sort Erica Felker-Kantor
collection DOAJ
description The objective of this paper was to document contraceptive dynamics and associated correlates of contraceptive method switching and discontinuation in Myanmar during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a secondary analysis of panel data collected between August 2020 and March 2021 among married women of reproductive age of households registered for a strategic purchasing project in Yangon. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, bivariate tests of association and adjusted log-Poisson models with generalised estimating equations to examine relative risks and 95% confidence intervals. Among the study sample, 28% of women reported method switching and 20% method discontinuation at least once during the study period. Difficulties accessing resupply/removal/insertion of contraception due to COVID-19 and method type at baseline were identified as correlates of method switching and discontinuation. Women who reported difficulty obtaining their method due to COVID-19 had an increased risk of method switching (RRadj: 1.85, 95%CI: 1.27, 2.71). Women who reported injectables as their initial contraceptive method at baseline had an increased risk of method switching (RRadj:1.71, 95%CI: 1.06, 2.76) and method discontinuation (RRadj: 2.16, 95%CI: 1.16, 4.02) compared to non-injectable users. As Myanmar evaluates its public health response to COVID-19, the country should consider innovative service delivery models that allow women to have sustained access to their method of choice during a health emergency. (211).
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spelling doaj-art-5c66486f67db4e4f814f6733ae407bac2025-08-20T03:27:15ZengTaylor & Francis GroupSexual and Reproductive Health Matters2641-03972023-12-0131110.1080/26410397.2023.2215568Contraceptive method switching and discontinuation during the COVID-19 pandemic in Myanmar: findings from a longitudinal cohort studyErica Felker-Kantor0Ye Kyaw Aung1Jenny Wheeler2Brett Keller3Mahesh Paudel4Kristen Little5Si Thu Thein6Faculty, Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA; Senior Research Advisor, Population Services International, Washington, DC, USA.Senior Research Manager, Population Services International Myanmar, Yangon, MyanmarHead of Strategic Research and Learning, Population Services International, Washington, DC, USASenior Research Advisor, Population Services International, Washington, DC, USAResearch Advisor, Population Services International, Kathmandu, NepalSenior Technical Advisor for Strategic Research, Population Services International, Washington, DC, USADeputy Country Director, Population Services International Myanmar, Yangon, MyanmarThe objective of this paper was to document contraceptive dynamics and associated correlates of contraceptive method switching and discontinuation in Myanmar during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a secondary analysis of panel data collected between August 2020 and March 2021 among married women of reproductive age of households registered for a strategic purchasing project in Yangon. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, bivariate tests of association and adjusted log-Poisson models with generalised estimating equations to examine relative risks and 95% confidence intervals. Among the study sample, 28% of women reported method switching and 20% method discontinuation at least once during the study period. Difficulties accessing resupply/removal/insertion of contraception due to COVID-19 and method type at baseline were identified as correlates of method switching and discontinuation. Women who reported difficulty obtaining their method due to COVID-19 had an increased risk of method switching (RRadj: 1.85, 95%CI: 1.27, 2.71). Women who reported injectables as their initial contraceptive method at baseline had an increased risk of method switching (RRadj:1.71, 95%CI: 1.06, 2.76) and method discontinuation (RRadj: 2.16, 95%CI: 1.16, 4.02) compared to non-injectable users. As Myanmar evaluates its public health response to COVID-19, the country should consider innovative service delivery models that allow women to have sustained access to their method of choice during a health emergency. (211).https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/26410397.2023.2215568SARS-CoV-2COVID-19family planning methodsMyanmarhealth service
spellingShingle Erica Felker-Kantor
Ye Kyaw Aung
Jenny Wheeler
Brett Keller
Mahesh Paudel
Kristen Little
Si Thu Thein
Contraceptive method switching and discontinuation during the COVID-19 pandemic in Myanmar: findings from a longitudinal cohort study
Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters
SARS-CoV-2
COVID-19
family planning methods
Myanmar
health service
title Contraceptive method switching and discontinuation during the COVID-19 pandemic in Myanmar: findings from a longitudinal cohort study
title_full Contraceptive method switching and discontinuation during the COVID-19 pandemic in Myanmar: findings from a longitudinal cohort study
title_fullStr Contraceptive method switching and discontinuation during the COVID-19 pandemic in Myanmar: findings from a longitudinal cohort study
title_full_unstemmed Contraceptive method switching and discontinuation during the COVID-19 pandemic in Myanmar: findings from a longitudinal cohort study
title_short Contraceptive method switching and discontinuation during the COVID-19 pandemic in Myanmar: findings from a longitudinal cohort study
title_sort contraceptive method switching and discontinuation during the covid 19 pandemic in myanmar findings from a longitudinal cohort study
topic SARS-CoV-2
COVID-19
family planning methods
Myanmar
health service
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/26410397.2023.2215568
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