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Physicians' approaches to post‐abortion care in Manila, Philippines
Author(s) -
Cansino Catherine,
Melgar Junice Lirza,
Burke Anne
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2010.01.005
Subject(s) - misoprostol , medicine , curettage , abortion , vacuum aspiration , obstetrics , incomplete abortion , dilation and curettage , gynecology , pregnancy , products of conception , family medicine , family planning , population , research methodology , surgery , environmental health , genetics , biology
Objective To assess the knowledge and practice of health professionals in Manila, Philippines, regarding methods used for uterine evacuation in post‐abortion care (PAC), including the use of misoprostol. Methods A purposive sample of physicians providing PAC services completed questionnaires anonymously about PAC practices. Results Among 45 survey respondents, the primary methods used for first‐trimester uterine evacuation in PAC included sharp curettage (n = 45, 100%) and manual vacuum aspiration (MVA; n = 38, 84.4%), which was consistent with their preferences. Misoprostol was prescribed for first‐trimester post‐abortion uterine evacuation by 55.6% (n = 25) of respondents; dosing regimens ranged from 50 to 200 µg as a single dose or repeated every 4–24 hours. Of the respondents, 91.1% (n = 41) prescribed misoprostol for obstetric indications, including labor induction and postpartum hemorrhage. Conclusions Most respondents used sharp curettage and MVA for first‐trimester post‐abortion uterine evacuation, and did not express a clear preference for either method. Despite the unregistered status of misoprostol, it was used in obstetrics and PAC by a majority of study respondents. The doses of misoprostol used for post‐abortion uterine evacuation are lower than those recommended by evidence‐based studies. The results indicate the need to disseminate evidence‐based information about safe and effective use of MVA and misoprostol for PAC to physicians in Manila, Philippines.