Study of Clinic-based vs. Self-use of a Misoprostol-only Regimen for Induced Abortion

A Prospective, Comparative Study of Clinical Outcomes Following Clinic-based Versus Self-use of Medication Abortion Using a Misoprostol-only Regimen

The goal of the study is to determine whether important clinical outcomes differ among women who access a misoprostol-only medication abortion regimen from a patent medicine vendor when compared with those who access it from a clinic.

Medication abortion with a misoprostol-only regimen within the first 10 weeks of pregnancy is safe and effective. Investigators aim to assess whether self-use of early (<9 weeks) medication abortion using a misoprostol-only regimen results in non-inferior rates of clinical outcomes when compared with clinic-based provision of medication abortion.

The investigators will prospectively recruit women who obtain misoprostol from patent medicine vendors and clinics. Follow-up will occur by telephone during three phone calls within 45 days of the first dose of misoprostol.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Purchased a misoprostol-only abortion regimen at a PMV or from a clinic
• Be at least 15 years of age
• Have a known LMP of less than 9 weeks
• No contraindications to medical abortion
• Willing and able to give informed consent
• Have a mobile phone of which they are the independent user or be willing to be followed-up in person
• Willing to be contacted with questions about her abortion by telephone at 1-3, 10-29 and 30-45 days following initial contact.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Contraindications to misoprostol
• Age <15 or >49