The Discontinuation Problem
Use of the injectable is high in the east and south,
partly because it is an “easy start” method
compared to the IUD or sterilization. However it is
also prone to being “easy stop” since users can
simply fail to show up for the next quarterly or bimonthly
shot. Also, service providers can
interrupt wanted use, as in a South African study
showing denial of re-injections when users
appeared behind the standard schedule6. In any
case, one downside of the injectable is its high
discontinuation rate. While recent national
estimates are scarce7 the five DHS surveys below