Medical abortion in Ghana: A non-randomized, non-inferiority study of access through pharmacies compared with clinics.

Autor: Kapp N; Ipas, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. Electronic address: nathaliek@gmail.com., Bawah AA; Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS), University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana., Agula C; Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS), University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana., Menzel JL; Ipas, Chapel Hill, NC, USA., Antobam SK; Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS), University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana., Asuming PO; University of Ghana Business School (UGBS), University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana., Eckersberger E; Ipas, Chapel Hill, NC, USA., Pearson EE; Ipas, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Contraception [Contraception] 2024 Dec; Vol. 140, pp. 110538. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Jul 11.
DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2024.110538
Abstrakt: Objectives: To compare self-reported clinical outcomes following medical abortion with mifepristone and misoprostol sourced from either a pharmacy or health clinic.
Study Design: We conducted a prospective, non-randomized, non-inferiority cohort study across four regions in Ghana, from high-volume pharmacies and health clinics. Participants seeking medical abortion (less than nine weeks' gestation) who met usual medical abortion eligibility criteria were recruited. Data collection included baseline surveys, follow-up phone interviews, and self-reported assessments of medical abortion outcomes. The study aimed to enroll 2000 medical abortion users (1000 from each source).
Results: Complete outcome data was available and analyzed from 1958 participants (of 2208 enrolled), with the adjusted risk difference of need for additional treatment to complete the abortion indicating non-inferiority of the pharmacy group compared to the clinic group [-2.3% (95% CI -5.3% to 0.7%)]. Both groups reported low rates of additional treatment (4.9%) and adhered similarly to the abortion regimen. Secondary outcomes showed no significant differences, with moderate acceptability in both groups (65.4% pharmacy, 52.3% facility). Adverse outcomes were rare: one ectopic pregnancy, one blood transfusion and no deaths or other major complications were reported.
Conclusions: Accessing medical abortion pills directly from pharmacies without prior consultation from a provider demonstrated non-inferior self-reported clinical outcomes compared to seeking care from health clinics. The findings align with the growing global evidence supporting the safety and effectiveness of medical abortion self-care.
Implications: This study contributes data which support future registration of over-the-counter use of medical abortion drugs up to nine weeks' gestation. Such measures could expand options for safe abortion care, especially in regions where unsafe abortion poses a substantial maternal health risk.
Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03727308).
(Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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