Medical abortion provision by pharmacies and drug sellers in low-and middle-income countries : a systematic review
Abstract
We undertook a systematic review to assess 1) the level and quality of pharmacy and drug shop provision of medical abortion (MA) in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) and 2) interventions to improve quality of provision. We used standardized terms to search six databases for peer‐reviewed and grey literature. We double‐extracted data using a standardized template, and double‐graded studies for methodological quality. We identified 22 studies from 16 countries reporting on level and quality of MA provision through pharmacies and drug sellers, and three intervention studies. Despite widespread awareness and provision of MA drugs, even in legally restricted contexts, most studies found that pharmacy workers and drug sellers had poor knowledge of effective regimens. Evidence on interventions to improve pharmacy and drug shop provision of MA was limited and generally low quality, but indicated that training could be effective in improving knowledge. Programmatic attention should focus on the development and rigorous evaluation of innovative interventions to improve women's access to information about MA self‐management in low‐and middle‐income countries.
Citation
Footman , K , Keenan , K , Reiss , K , Reichwein , B , Biswas , P & Church , K 2018 , ' Medical abortion provision by pharmacies and drug sellers in low-and middle-income countries : a systematic review ' , Studies in Family Planning , vol. 49 , no. 1 , pp. 57-70 . https://doi.org/10.1111/sifp.12049
Publication
Studies in Family Planning
Status
Peer reviewed
ISSN
1728-4465Type
Journal item
Description
This study was funded by the Strengthening Evidence for Programming on Unintended Pregnancy (STEP-UP) Research Consortium, which is funded by UKaid from the Department for International DevelopmentCollections
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