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

Status: Recruiting
Location: See all (3) locations...
Intervention Type: Behavioral
Study Type: Interventional
Study Phase: Not Applicable
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
Participation Requirements
Sex: Female
Minimum Age: 18
Maximum Age: 49
Healthy Volunteers: t
View:

• 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.

Locations
Other Locations
Pakistan
Rhs 'A' Center Federal Government Poly Clinic (Fgpc)
RECRUITING
Islamabad
RHS 'A' CENTER Mother and Child Health Centre Aabpara
RECRUITING
Islamabad
RHS-A centre, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences
RECRUITING
Islamabad
Contact Information
Primary
Dr. Muhammad I Khan, MBBS
ibrahim.k2000@gmail.com
+923325467034
Time Frame
Start Date: 2025-12-15
Estimated Completion Date: 2026-08
Participants
Target number of participants: 900
Treatments
Experimental: Structured counseling
Women in this arm will receive structured, culturally sensitive counseling by trained healthcare providers. The counseling aims to address common myths and misconceptions about long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), such as concerns about side effects (e.g., amenorrhea, pregnancy worries) and general fears related to the method. The goal is to encourage continued use of LARC unless women meet the WHO criteria for removal (e.g., medical complications or personal preference). Participants will be followed up for 6 months to assess if they continue using their LARC method.
No_intervention: No counseling
Women in this arm will receive standard care, which is the typical practice at the clinics. If they request to remove their contraceptive device (either a copper-T IUD or Jadelle implant), it will be removed upon request without any counseling or encouragement to continue the method. There will be no structured intervention. Participants will not be asked to follow-up after the initial visit.
Sponsors
Leads: Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov