Factors associated with discontinuation of long-acting reversible contraceptives among women attending NGOs clinics in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Background: Contraception discontinuation often leads to unintended pregnancies with subsequent increases in risks of abortion-related morbidity and mortality and reduced effectiveness of family planning programs. Objectives: To identify the factors influencing the decision to discontinue the use of long-acting reversible contraceptives among selected women in Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 146 women of reproductive age seeking family planning services from two well-known clinics operated by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The respondents were selected through purposive sampling and data were collected by semi-structured questionnaire and face-to-face interviews. Results: More than half of the participants used injectable contraceptives and the majority reported discontinuation of the contraceptive method within one year. Nearly half (50.7%) of participants faced complications after using long-acting reversible contraceptives. Abdominal pain was the most common complaint among respondents (60.6%). The common causes of discontinuation included husband pressure (36.5%), family pressure (16.2%), and religion (2.7%). The association between participants’ age (P = 0.004), marital status (P = 0.004), and family income (P = 0.01) with discontinuation of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) were statistically significant. The association between injectable and intrauterine device contraceptive methods with discontinuation of LARC was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Appropriate counseling, follow-up care, and management of side effects could help to reduce the discontinuation rate of long-acting reversible contraceptives.