1
|
Hamui RM, Aquino EML, Menezes GMS, Velho Barreto de Araújo T, Seabra Soares de Britto E Alves MT, Valongueiro Alves S, Almeida MDCC. Delays in obtaining hospital care and abortion-related complications within a context of illegality. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286982. [PMID: 37315058 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Abortion, particularly when illegal, highlights inequities in different populations. Although abortion-related mortality is lower compared to other obstetric causes, abortion complications tend to be more lethal. Delays in seeking and obtaining care are determinants of negative outcomes. This study, nested within the GravSus-NE, analyzed healthcare delays and their association with abortion-related complications in three cities of northeastern Brazil (Salvador, Recife and São Luís). Nineteen public maternity hospitals were involved. All eligible women ≥18 years old hospitalized between August and December 2010 were evaluated. Descriptive, stratified and multivariate analyses were performed. Youden's index was used to determine delay. One model was created with all the women and another with those admitted in good clinical conditions, thus determining complications that occurred during hospitalization and their associated factors. Of 2,371 women, most (62.3%) were ≤30 years old (median 27 years) and 89.6% reported being black or brown-skinned. Most (90.5%) were admitted in good condition, 4.0% in fair condition and 5.5% in poor/very poor condition. Median time between admission and uterine evacuation was 7.9 hours. After a cut-off time of 10 hours, the development of complications increased considerably. Black women and those admitted during nightshifts were more likely to experience a wait time ≥10 hours. Delays were associated with severe complications (OR 1.97; 95%CI: 1.55-2.51), including in the women admitted in good condition (OR 2,56; 95%CI: 1.85-3.55), and even following adjustment for gestational age and reported abortion type (spontaneous/induced). These findings corroborate the literature, highlighting the social vulnerability of women hospitalized within Brazil's public healthcare system in a situation of abortion. The study strongpoints include having objectively measured the time between admission and uterine evacuation and having established a cut-off time defining delay based on conceptual and epidemiological criteria. Further studies should evaluate other settings and new measurement tools for effectively preventing life-threatening complications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Romina M Hamui
- Institute of Collective Health, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Estela M L Aquino
- Institute of Collective Health, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Greice M S Menezes
- Institute of Collective Health, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mamalelala TT, Mokone DJ, Obeng-Adu F. Health-related reasons patients transfer from a clinic or health post to the Emergency Department in a District Hospital in Botswana. Afr J Emerg Med 2022; 12:339-343. [PMID: 35967086 PMCID: PMC9363965 DOI: 10.1016/j.afjem.2022.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Rural health clinics in low-resource settings worldwide are usually staffed with health care workers with limited knowledge and skills in managing acute emergencies. The Emergency Centre (EC) at the district hospital or primary hospital serves as an entry point for patients with diverse medical needs from health posts and community clinics. The study described the socio-demographic characteristics, primary diagnosis, and disposition of patients transferred from the clinics and health posts to the district hospital in the Kweneng district. Method This study is a chart audit of the triage sheets and admitting medical records (Botswana Integrated Patient Management System, IPMS) conducted for the period June through to December 2020. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the quantitative data. Frequencies, percentages, and measures of central tendency were calculated using the software, SPSS version 27. Results A total of 1565 charts were reviewed; 56% (n = 877) were females and 43.5% (n = 681) were males. Half of the patients presenting to the EC ranged from ages 21 to 50, with a mean age of 36.49. The most frequently reported reason for referral was “trauma,” (23.5%, n = 368) whereas the second common reason for referral was abortion-related complications (14.2%, n = 222). The highest admissions were from abortion-related complications (20.2%, n = 169). Most patients’ transfers were from clinics and health posts outside Molepolole (59.4%, n = 930). More than half of the patients (64.2%, n = 537) transferred from outside Molepolole were admitted than discharged from the EC. Discussion Our study has shown significant transfers to a higher facility for emergency care. The higher number of transfers are trauma-related cases, whereas most patients were admitted for abortion-related complications indicating the need for skill-building in trauma care and management of abortions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tebogo T Mamalelala
- School of Nursing, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
- Rutgers University School of Nursing, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
- Corresponding author.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
A comparative study of second trimester termination of pregnancy with mifepristone and misoprostol vs misoprostol alone in 50 cases. EUREKA: HEALTH SCIENCES 2022. [DOI: 10.21303/2504-5679.2022.002726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim: To study the efficacy and safety of combined mifepristone and misoprostol used in second-trimester abortion(≥ 12 and ≤ 20 weeks) in comparison with only vaginal misoprostol.
Materials and methods: This study was a prospective comparative randomised clinical study in women attending hospitals in need of a second-trimester abortion, i.e., 12–20 weeks of pregnancy were taken up and divided as Group A – 50 women with mifeprisptone and misoprostol, Group B – 50 women with misoprostol alone Results were analysed according to age, parity, gestational age, average dose of misoprostol required for complete abortion, Induction abortion interval, completeness of abortion, side effects and mean days of hospital stay.
Results: Demographic details are comparable and insignificant in the comparison. The average dose of misoprostol (mcg) required for the completeness of abortion in group A is 596±28.28 mcg, and in group B, it is 1148±160.66 mcg (p<0.001) which is statistically significant. In the present study, the induction abortion interval is significantly less in group A compared to group B, with p<0.001. In addition, 10 out of 50 patients in group A aborted within 7 hours, whereas none in group B. Mean duration of hospital stay in group A is 24 hours. In group B, it is 34.82 hours which is statistically significant with a p-value of <0.001. 12 patients in group A and 26 in group B had side effects like nausea, vomiting, fever, headache and diarrhoea. 8 % of group A and 20 % of group B had a fever. These patients were treated with antipyretics. 6 % in group A and 14 % in group B had nausea and vomiting and were treated with antiemetics. 4 % in group A and 8 % in group B had diarrhoea and were treated with antimotility drugs. 6 % in group A and 10 % in group B had a headache; these patients were treated with NSAIDs.
Conclusions: The combination of mifepristone and misoprostol is a highly effective and safe method for second-trimester termination of pregnancy. The amount of misoprostol needed to accomplish the abortion, and the severity of the adverse effects are lower in the mifepristone-primed group than in the misoprostol-alone group. Since there are fewer difficulties, this approach can be employed in hospitals with high patient density.
Collapse
|
4
|
Atuhairwe S, Gemzell-Danielsson K, Byamugisha J, Kaharuza F, Tumwesigye NM, Hanson C. Abortion-related near-miss morbidity and mortality in 43 health facilities with differences in readiness to provide abortion care in Uganda. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:bmjgh-2020-003274. [PMID: 33547174 PMCID: PMC7871269 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction With a view to inform policy for improved postabortion care, we describe abortion-related near-miss and mortality by sociodemographic risk factors and management options by pregnancy trimester in Uganda. Methods This secondary data analysis used an adapted WHO near-miss methodology to collect cross-sectional maternal near-miss and abortion complications data at 43 health facilities in Central and Eastern Uganda in 2016–2017. We computed abortion severe morbidity, near-miss and mortality ratios per 100 000 live births, and described the proportion of cases that worsened to an abortion near-miss or death, stratified by geographical region and trimester. We tested for association between independent variables and abortion near-miss, and obtained prevalence ratios for association between second trimester near-miss and independent demographic and management indicators. We assessed health facility readiness for postabortion care provision in Central and Eastern regions. Results Of 3315 recorded severe abortion morbidity cases, 1507 were near-misses. Severe abortion morbidity, near-miss and mortality ratios were 2063, 938 and 23 per 100 000 live births, respectively. Abortion-related mortality ratios were 11 and 57 per 100 000 in Central and Eastern regions, respectively. Abortion near-miss cases were significantly associated with referral (p<0.001). Second trimester had greater abortion mortality than first trimester. Eastern region had greater abortion-related morbidity and mortality than Central region with facilities in the former characterised by inferior readiness to provide postabortion care. Conclusions Uganda has a major abortion near-miss morbidity and mortality; with mortality higher in the second trimester. Life-saving commodities are lacking especially in Eastern region compromising facility readiness for postabortion care provision.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susan Atuhairwe
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Makerere University CHS, Kampala, Uganda .,Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Josaphat Byamugisha
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Makerere University CHS, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Frank Kaharuza
- Association of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Uganda, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Claudia Hanson
- Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.,Dept of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ratovoson R, Kunkel A, Rakotovao JP, Pourette D, Mattern C, Andriamiadana J, Harimanana A, Piola P. Frequency, risk factors, and complications of induced abortion in ten districts of Madagascar: results from a cross-sectional household survey. BMC WOMENS HEALTH 2020; 20:96. [PMID: 32375746 PMCID: PMC7203894 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-020-00962-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Background Madagascar has restrictive abortion laws with no explicit exception to preserve the woman’s life. This study aimed to estimate the incidence of abortion in the country and examine the methods, consequences, and risk factors of these abortions. Methods We interviewed 3179 women between September 2015 and April 2016. Women were selected from rural and urban areas of ten districts via a multistage, stratified cluster sampling survey and asked about any induced abortions within the previous 10 years. Analyses used survey weighted estimation procedures. Quasi-Poisson regression was used to estimate the incidence rate of abortions. Logistic regression models with random effects to account for the clustered sampling design were used to estimate the risk of abortion complications by abortion method, provider, and month of pregnancy, and to describe risk factors of induced abortion. Results For 2005–2016, we estimated an incidence rate of 18.2 abortions (95% CI 14.4–23.0) per 1000 person-years among sexually active women (aged 18–49 at the time of interview). Applying a multiplier of two as used by the World Health Organization for abortion surveys suggests a true rate of 36.4 per 1000 person-year of exposure. The majority of abortions involved invasive methods such as manual or sharp curettage or insertion of objects into the genital tract. Signs of potential infection followed 29.1% (21.8–37.7%) of abortions. However, the odds of potential infection and of seeking care after abortion did not differ significantly between women who used misoprostol alone and those who used other methods. The odds of experiencing abortion were significantly higher among women who had ever used contraceptive methods compared to those who had not. However, the proportion of women with a history of abortion was significantly lower in rural districts where contraception was available from community health workers than where it was not. Conclusions Incidence estimates from Madagascar are lower than those from other African settings, but similar to continent-wide estimates when accounting for underreporting. The finding that the majority of abortions involved invasive procedures suggests a need for strengthening information, education and communications programs on preventing or managing unintended pregnancies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rila Ratovoson
- Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit, Institut Pasteur of Madagascar, BP 1274 Ambatofotsikely Avaradoha, 101, Antananarivo, Madagascar.
| | - Amber Kunkel
- Emerging Diseases Epidemiology Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | | | - Dolores Pourette
- Centre Population et Développement (UMR 196, IRD, Université Paris Descartes), Paris, France.,SageSud ERL INSERM 1244, Paris, France
| | - Chiarella Mattern
- Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit, Institut Pasteur of Madagascar, BP 1274 Ambatofotsikely Avaradoha, 101, Antananarivo, Madagascar.,Centre Population et Développement (UMR 196, IRD, Université Paris Descartes), Paris, France
| | | | - Aina Harimanana
- Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit, Institut Pasteur of Madagascar, BP 1274 Ambatofotsikely Avaradoha, 101, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Patrice Piola
- Epidemiology and Public Health Unit, Institut Pasteur of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Izugbara C, Wekesah FM, Sebany M, Echoka E, Amo-Adjei J, Muga W. Availability, accessibility and utilization of post-abortion care in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review. Health Care Women Int 2019; 41:732-760. [PMID: 31855511 DOI: 10.1080/07399332.2019.1703991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
At the 1994 ICPD, sub-Saharan African (SSA) states pledged, inter alia, to guarantee quality post-abortion care (PAC) services. We synthesized existing research on PAC services provision, utilization and access in SSA since the 1994 ICPD. Generally, evidence on PAC is only available in a few countries in the sub-region. The available evidence however suggests that PAC constitutes a significant financial burden on public health systems in SSA; that accessibility, utilization and availability of PAC services have expanded during the period; and that worrying inequities characterize PAC services. Manual and electrical vacuum aspiration and medication abortion drugs are increasingly common PAC methods in SSA, but poor-quality treatment methods persist in many contexts. Complex socio-economic, infrastructural, cultural and political factors mediate the availability, accessibility and utilization of PAC services in SSA. Interventions that have been implemented to improve different aspects of PAC in the sub-region have had variable levels of success. Underexplored themes in the existing literature include the individual and household level costs of PAC; the quality of PAC services; the provision of non-abortion reproductive health services in the context of PAC; and health care provider-community partnerships.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Meroji Sebany
- International Center for Research on Women, Washington, D.C, USA
| | - Elizabeth Echoka
- Centre for Public Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute - KEMRI, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Joshua Amo-Adjei
- Department of Population and Health, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Winstoun Muga
- African Population & Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya
| |
Collapse
|