Availability and prescription of misoprostol for medical abortion in community pharmacies and associated factors in Accra, Ghana

Ganle, John Kuumuori; Busia, N.T.; Maya, Ernest

doi:10.1002/ijgo.12717

Cited by 8 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…The likely explanation for the high prevalence of misoprostol uptake compared to previous studies elsewhere might be as a result of the quite liberal law on abortion in Ghana. These figures confirm earlier reports that misoprostol had become a popular and relatively cheap over the counter abortifacient among women in certain parts of Ghana [10,14,28].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…Different methods are used for the termination of pregnancies. One of such method is medical abortion which offers a vital alternative to surgical abortion for women with early pregnancies [14]. Presently, three regimens exist for medical abortion in Ghana.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Scarce but growing body of literature exist on misoprostol use in Ghana. With some focusing on morbidities associated with induced abortions among misoprostol users [10], management of incomplete abortions with misoprostol [27] and its availability and prescription in community pharmacies [14]. Despite these studies, none has focused on the prevalence and factors associated with misoprostol uptake among women seeking abortion care in an urban area in Ghana.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Uptake of Misoprostol among women seeking abortion in Accra, Ghana

Darteh

2020

Preprint

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Background Unsafe abortions remain one of the key contributors to maternal mortality. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended misoprostol as a safe abortifacient which has become a popular over the counter self-administered abortifacient in Ghana. This study sought to examine the prevalence of misoprostol uptake and model the factors associated with its uptake among 698 women seeking abortion services in the Accra Metropolis of Ghana. Methods Univariate and multivariate analysis were done. The multivariate analysis was done using binary logistic regression to model the factors associated with misoprostol uptake and results are presented as adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The results showed that the prevalence of misoprostol uptake was 20.8%. The regression analysis showed that women who were cohabiting had higher odds [AOR=1.91, CI=1.16-3.16] of using misoprostol compared to women who were single. In relation to miscarriage and use of misoprostol, it was found that women who experienced one [AOR=0.27, CI=0.15-0.49] and 2 or more miscarriages [AOR=0.25, CI=0.07-0.85] had lower odds of using misoprostol compared to those who have never experienced any miscarriage Conclusion The prevalence of misoprostol uptake among women seeking abortion services in Accra Metropolis is relatively high. Marital status and previous history of miscarriage are associated with misoprostol uptake. Although proven effective by various studies and recommended by the WHO, it is imperative to consider these factors in the education of women on the use of misoprostol as well as designing programmes to target women who are inclined to induce abortion in Ghana.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Uptake of Misoprostol among women seeking abortion in Accra, Ghana

Darteh

2020

Preprint

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“…However, community pharmacies have been reported to be the first point of call for the majority of Ghanaians seeking abortion care or advice . Therefore, there have been calls for community pharmacists to be included in the official list of healthcare professionals permitted by law and guidelines to provide abortion care . In relation to misoprostol, Ghana’s current medicines as well as pharmacy regulations make the drug a prescription only drug .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Ghana Pharmacy Council regulations also require a pharmacist to be present anytime a pharmacy is opened. However, the regulation permits a pharmacy to be opened if other trained pharmacy workers such as pharmacy technicians, medical counter assistants, and other on‐the‐job‐trained staff are present if it is not feasible to have a pharmacist at all times …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stocking and over-the-counter sale of misoprostol for medical abortion in Ghana’s community pharmacies: comparison of questionnaire and mystery client survey

Ganle

Busia

Baatiema

2019

International Journal of Pharmacy Practice

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Objectives In many sub-Saharan African countries with restricted safe abortion services, community pharmacies are important sources of abortifacients. However, data on stocking and over-the-counter sale of abortifacients in community pharmacies are often limited. The main objective of this study was to compare stocking and over-the-counter sale of misoprostol at community pharmacies using questionnaire and mystery client surveys in Ghana. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey, complemented with a mystery client survey, was conducted at 165 randomly selected community pharmacies in Accra, Ghana. Structured questionnaires were administered to pharmacists/pharmacy workers. A mystery client survey to each of these pharmacies was also undertaken. Descriptive statistical techniques (frequencies and proportions) were used to estimate and compare stocking and over-the-counter sale of misoprostol at community pharmacies from the two data collection methods. Key findings Some 50.3% (83) of community pharmacists/pharmacy workers reported stocking misoprostol and selling it over-the-counter for medical abortion in the questionnaire-based survey. However, in the mystery client survey, 122 (74%) pharmacists/pharmacy workers reported stocking misoprostol and actually selling it over-the-counter to the mystery clients. Thus approximately 39 (24%) more pharmacies stocked misoprostol and sold it over-the-counter even though they originally denied stocking the drug in the questionnaire survey. Also, the drug was often sold without a prescription, and many did so without asking for a confirmatory pregnancy test or gestational age. Conclusions In contexts where access to safe abortion services is restricted, mystery client surveys, rather than conventional questionnaire-based survey techniques, may better illuminate stocking and over-the-counter sale of abortifacients at community pharmacies.

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