Anthropometric indices, blood pressure, and lipid profile status among women using progestin-only contraceptives: comparative cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: The major types of hormonal contraception used currently in Ethiopia are progestogen-only. This study aimed to assess the differences in anthropometry indices, blood pressure, and lipid profile among women using progestin-only contraceptives in selected health facilities of Jimma town, southwest Ethiopia. Methods: A facility-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among women of reproductive age using Depo-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) and implant in selected health facilities from April 11 to May 11, 2019. A total of 146 women (45 DMPA and 51 implant users and 50 non-users) were selected randomly for inclusion in the study. One-way analysis of variance was used to examine variations in health outcomes while Bonferroni post-hoc tests were conducted to determine significance of variations between multiple outcomes. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in the mean Body Mass Index (p = 0.045), Hip-to-waist ratio (p = 0.012), systolic blood pressure (p = 0.027), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (p = 0.017), total cholesterol (TC) (p = 0.005), low-density lipoprotein (p = 0.023) and triacylglycerol (TAG) (p = 0.000) between women using progestin-only contraceptives and non-users. DMPA users had higher TC (p = 0.024) than non-users. Results from Pearson correlation analysis showed that DBP of DMPA users was higher with longer duration of use. Conclusion: The findings suggest the need for family planning service providers to undertake appropriate client profiling before recommending a particular method to women seeking the services in order to minimize adverse health risks, especially for those who may have pre-existing conditions.