RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07271836

PLACE Trial: Preserving Long-Acting Contraception Through Education

Effect of Structured Counseling on Continuation Rates of Long Acting Reversible Contraception Among Clients Requesting Early Removal: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial (PLACE Trial)

Sponsor

Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences

Enrollment

900 participants

Start Date

Dec 15, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Contraception

Summary

Study Overview Summary This randomized controlled trial will evaluate the effectiveness of structured counseling in improving the continuation rates of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) among women in Islamabad, Pakistan, who present to family planning clinics for early removal of their contraception devices (copper-T IUD or Jadelle implant). The study, starting December 15, 2025, will recruit women from three federal government-approved clinics. The trial will randomly assign participants to either an intervention group, where they will receive culturally sensitive counseling to encourage continued use of LARC, or a control group, where contraception will be removed upon client request without counseling. The goal is to determine if structured counseling can increase the likelihood of women continuing their LARC method.

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 49 Years

Inclusion Criteria1

Women presenting at the clinics exclusively for removal of a copper-T IUD or Jadelle subdermal implant within 2 years of use and within the first 2 months of the study.

Exclusion Criteria1

Women not wishing to participate or unable to provide informed consent.

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Interventions

BEHAVIORALStructured counseling

The intervention is a behavioral intervention where healthcare providers deliver structured, culturally sensitive counseling to women who present for early removal of their long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), such as the copper-T intrauterine device (IUD) or Jadelle subdermal implant. The counseling is designed to address common misconceptions and myths about contraception, such as fears related to side effects (e.g., amenorrhea, concerns about pregnancy) or the belief that symptoms are unrelated to the contraception method. The aim is to encourage the continuation of the contraceptive method unless the woman meets the WHO criteria for removal (e.g., medical reasons or personal preference). This intervention will involve a one-time counseling session with follow-up at 6 months to assess whether the participant continued or discontinued the method.