New evidence indicates that self-injected contraception could make a significant impact in addressing high contraceptive discontinuation rates. Results from a recent FHI 360 study in Malawi showed that self-injection led to a more than 50 percent increase in continuous DMPA-SC use over 12 months compared to provider administration.

FHI 360, through the US Agency for International Development’s Advancing Partners & Communities project, conducted this randomized controlled trial with more than 700 women in Malawi who sought family planning services at six Ministry of Health clinics or from community health workers. The women either were trained to self-inject and sent home with three subsequent doses or received DMPA-SC from the provider or community health worker and asked to return for subsequent doses.