Chapter 4 Download Chapter

Giving Intramuscular Injection with a Conventional Syringe

1. Obtain 1 dose of injectable contraception, a needle, and syringe

Needle and bottle
  • DMPA: 150 mg
  • NET-EN: 200 mg
  • For each injection, use a prefilled single-use syringe and needle from a new, sealed package (within expiration date and not damaged), if available.
  • If a prefilled single-use syringe is not available, use single-dose vials. Check the expiration date on the vial. If using an open multidose vial, check that the vial is not leaking.
    • DMPA: Use a 2-ml syringe and a 21- to 23-gauge intramuscular needle.
    • NET-EN: Use a 2- or 5-ml syringe and a 19-gauge intramuscular needle. A narrower needle (21- to 23-gauge) can also be used.
2. Wash
  • Wash your hands with soap and water, if possible, and let them dry in the air.
  • If the injection site is dirty, wash it with soap and water.
  • There is no need to wipe the site with antiseptic.
If using a prefilled syringe, skip to step 5
3. Prepare vial
  • DMPA: Gently shake the vial.
  • NET-EN: Shaking the vial is not necessary.
  • There is no need to wipe the top of the vial with antiseptic.
  • If the vial is cold, warm to skin temperature before giving the injection.
4. Fill syringe
  • Pierce the top of the vial with a sterile needle and fill syringe with the proper dose.
5. Inject formula
  • Insert the needle deep into the hip (ventrogluteal muscle), the upper arm (deltoid muscle), or the buttocks (gluteal muscle, upper outer portion), whichever the woman prefers. Inject the contents of the syringe.
  • Do not massage the injection site.

Inject formula locations
6. Dispose of disposable syringes and needles safely



 
  • Do not recap, bend, or break needles before disposal.
  • Place in a puncture-proof sharps container.
  • Do no reuse disposable syringes and needles. They are meant to be destroyed after a single use. Because of their shape, they are very difficult to disinfect. Therefore, reuse might transmit diseases such as HIV and hepatitis.
  • If reusable syringes and needles are used, they must be sterilized again after each use (see Infection Prevention in the Clinic, in Chapter 26 – Family Planning Provision).

Dispose of disposable syringes and needles safely