The strategic approach to the introduction of DMPA as an opportunity to improve quality of care for all contraceptive methods in Viet Nam

The Government of Viet Nam has an explicit policy to regulate population growth and, in 1993, established replacement level fertility as a target. It has implemented a strong family planning programme and contraceptive prevalence is high. The contraceptive method mix, however, remained very skewed. In 1996, the contraceptive prevalence of modern methods was 52 per cent, of which the IUD accounted for 72 per cent, female sterilization 10.4 per cent, condom 9 per cent and oral pills 6.9 per cent. The use of injectables was negligible. In addition, 16.3 per cent reported using natural methods (NCPFP, 1998). One of the concerns of the national population policy is to diversify the mix through adding more methods such as the DMPA (depot medroxyprogesterone acetate) injectable and the Norplant implant. There continues to be a concern about the high rate of induced abortion in the country and the need to address unmet need for family planning has been highlighted as a means to address this issue (Be’ langer and Khuat Thu Hong, 1998; Do Trong Hieu and others, 1993).