Implant to prevent teen pregnancies

By SACHA MOLLOY - Taranaki Daily NewsHealth
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A contraceptive implant arrives in Taranaki next month – alarming some sex educators at a time when sexually transmitted infections (STI) are at record levels in New Zealand.

The Pharmac-funded Jadelle implants, which protect against pregnancy for five years, were launched nationwide in August and will be available from Taranaki Family Planning in a couple of weeks.

When Jadelle was launched Family Planning claimed it would help reduce New Zealand's soaring teenage pregnancy rate, which was the second highest in the OECD.

But there are growing concerns the implant will lull teenagers into a false sense of security, leading to further increases in STIs, particularly chlamydia.

STIs have already reached epidemic proportions, said Andrea Hunt, the area manager for Yrchoice, a life skills programme which targets year nine and ten students from Taranaki schools and encourages them to make healthy sexual choices.

"Like similar methods of contraception, it may prevent pregnancy – but it won't prevent STIs," she warned.

"There is a possibility that young people may think pregnancy is the worse thing that can happen to them, and not be aware of other dangers."

A 2009 Public Health Surveillance report found the national number of cases of diagnosed chlamydia rose by 25 per cent between 2004 and 2008.

The majority, 71 per cent of those affected, were less than 25 years old.

"I know from going into classrooms that sexual promiscuity is a big problem" said Andrea Hunt.

"After working in the programme for several years I'm almost unshockable.

"But parents would be surprised by what their kids get up to."

But nurse practitioner Lou Roebuck, of youth health clinic Waves, said the risk of getting STIs while using the implant was no different from that of IUDs or injections. Waves provides sexual health services for people as young as 10.

"We see most young people being responsible about their sexual health these days.This is a really good, low cost option which is perfect for young people or people who have finished having their family."

She said the implant contained a low dose of the progestogen hormone and, unlike the oral pill, did have the same risk factors associated with smoking or being overweight.

Jessica Moses, 20, recently travelled to Hamilton to get the implant and because she is in a stable relationship she felt like it was a sensible precautionary measure.

"It's much less hassle than taking a pill everyday. I'm still young so children are not in the pipeline at the moment."

However, Miss Moses said she did not think younger girls, like her 16-year-old sister, should be given the implant.

"They're at the age when they look and feel like adults but don't yet have the maturity. They sneak out to parties where there are lots of older guys and alcohol and I know they're at risk of going too far with some of these guys."

"There is a more serious problem of STIs if you're still having casual relationships. Taking a pill each day is more of a reminder."

Taranaki priest Father Tom Lawn, said the Catholic Church respects couples' choices, but he thinks contraceptive measures like the implant make things harder for young women.

"She takes the whole responsibility of her sexuality on herself. I think it's a bit unfair on women," he said.

"The church really believes that sex is supposed to make love stronger and bind a couple together."

Student Alice Turnbull, 20, said she would be horrified if she fell pregnant but doesn't want anything inserted under her skin.

"I don't want to be crazy and get into conspiracy theories. But this could be one way of starting to track people. You're just trusting the people who administer it."

She said she thinks the implant will have little impact on the sexual behaviour of young people.

"I don't think this will make kids run around and have sex more than they already do. At least it will reduce the teenage pregnancy rate."

HOW IT WORKS

Jadelle is a long-term, reversible contraceptive implant for women.

It consists of two small, silicon rods which are inserted by a doctor under the skin of the upper arm.

The implants contain the hormone progestogen which is slowly released in tiny doses, preventing ovulation.

During the first four years of Jadelle use, the pregnancy rate is less than one per 100 women.

During the fifth year the chance of pregnancy is about one in a hundred.

Jadelle is effective for five years and can be removed at any time.

The $300 Pharmac-funded implant is free apart from the cost of a visit to the doctor and a pharmacy administering fee.

Sacha Molloy is an AUT journal

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