Community-based distribution of misoprostol for early abortion: Outcomes from a program in Sindh, Pakistan

Contraception. 2022 May:109:49-51. doi: 10.1016/j.contraception.2022.01.005. Epub 2022 Jan 23.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the outcomes of a community-based distribution program in which lay providers offer women in Sindh, Pakistan misoprostol for early abortion.

Study design: We reviewed monitoring logbooks to examine pregnancy outcomes and analyzed logbook data using descriptive statistics.

Results: In late 2019, 120 women obtained abortion care through this program. None of the women (n = 0) were pregnant 4 weeks after initiating the regimen and none (n = 0) experienced complications requiring medical intervention.

Conclusions: Outcomes from this initiative may be valuable for those working to expand access to misoprostol-alone for early abortion in other settings.

Keywords: Asia; Community-based program; Fragile settings; Low resource settings; Medication abortion; Misoprostol.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal*
  • Abortion, Induced*
  • Delivery of Health Care
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mifepristone
  • Misoprostol*
  • Pakistan
  • Pregnancy

Substances

  • Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal
  • Misoprostol
  • Mifepristone