A Comparative Study between Lydia and Conventional Copper T Intrauterine Contraceptive Device at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano

Abstract

Background: Copper intrauterine contraceptive device is one of the commonest methods of contraception worldwide. Aims/Objectives: To compare the acceptance and complications between the conventional Copper T IUCD to the Lydia IUCD among IUCD users in the family planning unit of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. Study design and setting: A comparative study between the conventional Copper T and the Lydia IUCD in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. Methods: A well-structured interviewer based questionnaire was used to collect data from clients over a period of 1 year; from 1^st September 2018 to 31^st August 2019. The data was analysed using SPSS 20. Chi-square was used to compare variables where appropriate. Results: The study revealed that 51% of the clients were using the conventional copper T while 49% of the clients were using Lydia. The most common complication within the 1^st week was lower abdominal pain (C=21.6%, L=23.5%) and spotting (C=13.7%, L=10.8%) while lower abdominal pain and heavier bleeding was found to be more frequent in the 1^st month (26.5%, 26.5 respectively), 1^st 6 months (20.9%, 26.7% respectively) and first-year (30.3%, 28.8% respectively). Most complications were found to be higher in the conventional Copper T group than the Lydia group. The removal rate was low (12.8%). The most frequent reason for removal was complications (9.8%).  Conclusion: The conventional copper T had more clients but more complications associated with its use. The removal rate was high and the commonest reason for removal was a complication.