Contraceptive implants increase adoption in Honduras and Chiapas Mexico

The Salud Mesoamerica Initiative introduced subdermal contraceptive implants to disadvantaged communities in Honduras and Chiapas, Mexico, to improve reproductive health and reduce unintended pregnancies.

Researchers tracked the adoption of these long-acting reversible contraceptives through household surveys conducted between 2012 and 2022. The data showed that implant use grew steadily in both regions. In the intervention areas of Honduras, the adoption rate reached 7.9 percent by 2022, while use in Chiapas rose to 7.2 percent.

The study found that younger women and those with full literacy were the most likely to adopt the new method. The new implants primarily replaced non-modern methods and short-acting hormonal options. While the initiative successfully integrated these implants into the existing contraceptive mix, the researchers noted that adoption rates still varied across different sociodemographic groups.

The findings suggest that long-acting implants can expand reproductive health options in resource-limited settings, though the study notes that future efforts must still address structural and sociocultural barriers to ensure everyone has equal access.