Depo Provera Self-Administration Study: Putting a Patient-Centered Practice to the Test at Planned Parenthood

This open-label, randomized parallel group clinical trial will study subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA sc) self-administration at two Planned Parenthood affiliates serving diverse patient populations. Prior studies demonstrate that DMPA self-injection is safe, effective, feasible, and acceptable for women and adolescents. A total of 400 female patients (ages 15-44) requesting DMPA will be randomized to self-administration of DMPA sc or clinic administration (usual care) in a 1:1 allocation. Subjects will be followed for one year. All subjects will receive reminders when their next injection is due. Follow-up surveys will be conducted at 6 and 12 months. Adherence will be monitored by subject self-report and study outcomes will be ascertained by self-report and medical record review.

The primary study outcome is DMPA continuation at one year by self-report in both study arms. Secondary outcomes include patient-reported satisfaction with treatment; satisfaction with home use; and costs associated with contraceptive care.

The investigators hypothesize higher continuation rates among self-injection users compared to patients who receive standard care (delta = .13; 80% power; one-sided α=0.05; allowing for 15% loss-to-follow-up). Secondary exploratory hypotheses include higher patient satisfaction and lower costs associated with contraceptive care among self-injection users.

Inclusion criteria

• Females ages 15-44
• Current or past users of DMPA or desires initiation of DMPA for contraception
• Can understand spoken and written English or Spanish
• Willing to consider/attempt DMPA self-injection
• Willing to be randomized to either self- or clinic administration of DMPA
• Do not want to become pregnant in the next 12 months
• Willing to provide contact information and to complete three surveys at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
• Have consistent access to a working telephone, email, and Internet
• No contraindications to DMPA use

Exclusion criteria

• Suspected or confirmed pregnancy
• Vaginal bleeding of unknown etiology
• Known or suspected breast cancer
• Acute liver disease
• High blood pressure (Systolic ≥ 160 mm Hg or diastolic ≥ 100 mm Hg)
• Known hypersensitivity to medroxyprogesterone acetate or any other components of DMPA
• Desire for pregnancy within one year