Introducing misoprostol for treatment of incomplete abortion: A feasibility and acceptability study in secondary-level health facilities in Myanmar.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility and acceptability of misoprostol as a treatment option for incomplete abortion in secondary hospitals in Yangon and Mandalay, Myanmar.

METHODS: An explanatory sequential mixed methods study was conducted. Women seeking treatment for an incomplete abortion with a uterine size <12 weeks were eligible to participate in the prospective cohort including sublingual administration of 400 μg misoprostol, clinical assessment 7-10 days after administration, and patient interview. Treatment efficacy was assessed, defined as proportion of participants with complete uterine evacuation with misoprostol alone. After the cohort, provider interviews were conducted to understand how their experiences with misoprostol may have influenced cohort findings. Study sites included seventeen secondary health facilities in four townships in Yangon and Mandalay, Myanmar.

RESULTS: A total of 110 women were enrolled from July 2018 to January 2019; 96 completed follow-up. In 75 % of cases, incomplete abortion was successfully treated with misoprostol. Treatment efficacy varied significantly by region (Yangon 85 %, Mandalay 67 %; p = 0.048), driven by providers' variable comfort with misoprostol and proclivity to intervene with additional treatment. With experience, all were willing to incorporate the protocol into practice by study end. Patient acceptability and satisfaction were high.

CONCLUSION: Misoprostol is an acceptable and feasible treatment option for women seeking postabortion care at secondary facilities in Myanmar. Extensive health provider training and support systems and continued implementation experience are crucial to effectively translate clinical PAC guidelines into practice in Myanmar.