Women's perceptions of and experiences with the use of misoprostol for treatment of incomplete abortion in central Malawi: a mixed methods study

Chakhame, Bertha Magreta, Darj, Elisabeth, Mwapasa, Mphatso, Kafulafula, Ursula Kalimembe, Maluwa, Alfred, Odland, Jon Oyvind and Odland, Maria Lisa ORCID: 0000-0003-4340-7145 (2023) Women's perceptions of and experiences with the use of misoprostol for treatment of incomplete abortion in central Malawi: a mixed methods study. REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH, 20 (1). 26-.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12978-022-01549-w

Abstract

<h4>Background</h4>Abortion-related complications are among the common causes of maternal mortality in Malawi. Misoprostol is recommended for the treatment of first-trimester incomplete abortions but is seldom used for post-abortion care in Malawi.<h4>Methods</h4>A descriptive cross-sectional study that used mixed methods was conducted in three hospitals in central Malawi. A survey was done on 400 women and in-depth interviews with 24 women receiving misoprostol for incomplete abortion. Convenience and purposive sampling methods were used and data were analysed using STATA 16.0 for quantitative part and thematic analysis for qualitative part.<h4>Results</h4>From the qualitative data, three themes emerged around the following areas: experienced effects, support offered, and women's perceptions. Most women liked misoprostol and reported that the treatment was helpful and effective in expelling retained products of conception. Quantitative data revealed that the majority of participants, 376 (94%) were satisfied with the support received, and 361 (90.3%) believed that misoprostol was better than surgical treatment. The majority of the women 364 (91%) reported they would recommend misoprostol to friends.<h4>Conclusions</h4>The use of misoprostol for incomplete abortion in Malawi is acceptable and regarded as helpful and satisfactory among women.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	First trimester, Incomplete abortion, Misoprostol, Post-abortion care
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Life Courses and Medical Sciences
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	19 Dec 2023 11:24
Last Modified:	19 Dec 2023 11:24
DOI:	10.1186/s12978-022-01549-w
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-022-01549-w
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3177519