Estimating abortion prevalence and understanding perspectives of community leaders and providers: Results from a mixed-method study in Istanbul, Turkey

Face-to-face: isotretinoin use and pregnancy outcome

Isotretinoin has been used to treat severe acne for more than 40 years. There are no accurate data on the absolute risk of potential teratogenicity to all fetuses exposed to isotretinoin. According to current guidelines, isotretinoin should be discontinued at least 1 month before pregnancy. This study enrolled pregnant women who contacted the Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit for individual drug risk assessment between 2016 and 2020. Data on maternal characteristics and isotretinoin exposures were obtained at first consultation. After delivery, follow-up calls were conducted using a structured questionnaire. Of 2,323 pregnant women consulted, 1.3% (31/2,323) had systemic isotretinoin exposure during and before pregnancy. Of 31 prospectively followed pregnancies, eight terminated electively. Most elective terminations (7/8) were performed because of the fear of fetal malformation. The majority of continued pregnancies (16/23) resulted in healthy live birth. There were no major birth defects. In six pregnancies, intrauterine deaths (three first trimester, three second trimester) were reported. Cesarean section was performed in 70.5% (12/17) of all deliveries. The median gestational age at birth was 39, and no preterm births were reported. Local isotretinoin treatments in six cases were evaluated and presented additionally, and all babies were born healthy. Based on the results of this study, there was no evidence of major birth defect, mental disorder, or retinoid embryopathy associated with the use of isotretinoin in pregnancy. Not local use, but systemic exposure to isotretinoin is of great concern that results in pregnancy termination.

Favipiravir exposure and pregnancy outcome of COVID-19 patients

Objective

COVID-19 is a rapidly spreading disease and many people have been infected in a short time. Favipiravir is under investigation for the treatment of COVID-19 and given to patients in many countries following emergency use approval. Based on data from animal studies, favipiravir use is contraindicated during pregnancy. Currently, there is no human data except for a single case report on use of favipiravir in pregnancy.

Study design

This article includes the outcomes of 29 pregnancies reported to the Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit regarding favipiravir use in pregnancy. For drug risk assessment, maternal characteristics were obtained at first contact. After the expected day of delivery, follow-up is conducted by phone call and all relevant data regarding pregnancy and newborn outcome were documented.

Results

Of the 29 pregnancies exposed to favipiravir, 5 were electively terminated and 24 resulted in live birth. There were no miscarriages or no stillbirths. There were 25 live births including one pair of twins. Three children were born premature, and one infant had patent foramen ovale. Birth weights, lengths and head circumferences of all infants were within normal range.

Conclusion

The results of the study indicate that favipiravir is unlikely to be a major human teratogen, but experience is still limited for a well-grounded risk assessment. Although these findings may be useful for the physicians and patients, larger studies are needed due to small number of cases.

Estimating Prevalence of Abortion Using List Experiments: Findings from a Survey of Women in Delaware and Maryland

BACKGROUND

Widespread underreporting of abortion persists in survey data. The list experiment, a measurement tool designed to elicit truthful responses to sensitive questions, may alleviate underreporting.

METHODS

Using The Statewide Survey of Women of Reproductive Age in Delaware and Maryland (n = 2,747), we estimate the prevalence of abortion in Maryland and Delaware using a double list experiment.

RESULTS

We find 21% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 16.8%-25.3%) of respondents aged 18 to 44 ever had an abortion and we identify disparities in abortion prevalence by age, race, education, income, marital status, and insurance status. Respondents who were Black (37.0%; 95% CI: 27.1%-46.8%), had less than a college degree (24.8%; 95% CI: 18.3%-31.3%), were in a cohabiting relationship (39.0%; 95% CI: 29.1%-48.9%), were living in households with incomes less than $50,000 (28.6%; 95% CI: 19.7%-37.5%), and were currently covered by Medicaid (42.8%; 95% CI: 27.6%-58.0%) were more likely than their counterparts to have ever had an abortion.

CONCLUSIONS

List experiments yield estimates of abortion substantially higher than those obtained from direct questions. Findings demonstrate external validity through consistency with estimates from administrative data sources and gold standard abortion provider survey data.

Reducing underreporting of abortion in surveys: Results from two test applications of the list experiment method in Malawi and Senegal

BACKGROUND

Accurately measuring abortion incidence poses many challenges. The list experiment is a method designed to increase the reporting of sensitive or stigmatized behaviors in surveys, but has only recently been applied to the measurement of abortion. To further test the utility of the list experiment for measuring abortion incidence, we conducted list experiments in two countries, over two time periods.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The list experiment is an indirect method of measuring sensitive experiences that protects respondent confidentiality by hiding individual responses to a binary sensitive item (i.e., abortion) by combining this response with answers to other non-sensitive binary control items. Respondents report the number of list items that apply to them, not which ones. We conducted a list experiment to measure cumulative lifetime incidence of abortion in Malawi, and separately to measure cumulative five-year incidence of abortion in Senegal, among cisgender women of reproductive age.

RESULTS

Among 810 eligible respondents in Malawi, list experiment results estimated a cumulative lifetime incidence of abortion of 0.9% (95%CI: 0.0, 7.6). Among 1016 eligible respondents in Senegal, list experiment estimates indicated a cumulative five-year incidence of abortion of 2.8% (95%CI: 0.0, 10.4) which, while lower than anticipated, is seven times the proportion estimated from a direct question on abortion (0.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

Two test applications of the list experiment to measure abortion experiences in Malawi and Senegal likely underestimated abortion incidence. Future efforts should include context-specific formative qualitative research for the development and selection of list items, enumerator training, and method delivery to assess if and how these changes can improve method performance.

Contraceptive discontinuation and switching in urban Istanbul region in Turkey

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate rates of contraceptive discontinuation and method switching and examine their determinants in Istanbul, Turkey, because discontinuation of modern contraception leading to unintended pregnancy is a public health concern.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional household survey between March and June 2018 among 4224 married women of reproductive age (16-44 years). Information on contraceptive use and discontinuation for the 31 months preceding the survey was recorded in a monthly calendar. Using single and multiple decrement life-table methods, we calculated the overall discontinuation and the cause-specific discontinuation rates.

RESULTS

The 12-month overall discontinuation rate was 12.32%. Intrauterine devices had the lowest discontinuation rate (7.12%). The most common reasons for discontinuation were the desire to become pregnant (6.56%) and method failure (2.76%). One in three episodes of discontinuation was not followed by method switching (32.16%). Age, education, and the method type were predictive of contraceptive discontinuation.

CONCLUSION

To reduce method failure, women should be provided with information about method effectiveness, correct use of methods, and what to do if they anticipate their method failed (e.g., emergency contraception). Programs should focus on improving knowledge about discontinuation and method failure. Contraceptive counseling should also emphasize timely switching to an effective method after discontinuation.