TABLE 2 Effectiveness and Satisfaction With Treatment for Incomplete Abortion, Misoprostol Compared With Surgical Evacuation, 10 Countries, 2005–2012
ArticleCountry (Sample Size)Study Design: Misoprostol/ Surgical Comparison GroupEffectiveness: % With Complete Evacuation% Client Satisfaction With ProcedureComments
Blandine 201217Burkina Faso (N = 99)400 mcg misoprostol sublingually/ referral for surgicalM: 98%M: 99%PAC with misoprostol introduced to 2 district hospitals with no previous PAC service. All eligible women chose misoprostol over optional referral for MVA.
Dao 200718Burkina Faso (N = 447)600 mcg misoprostol orally/MVAM: 94%
S: 99%		M: 97%
S: 98%		2 teaching hospitals.
Weeks 200514Uganda (N = 317)600 mcg misoprostol orally/MVAM: 96%
S: 92%		M: 94%
S: 95%		Misoprostol was associated with less pain and fewer complications but increased bleeding. All received antibiotics after treatment.
Taylor 201119Ghana (N = 230)600 mcg misoprostol orally/MVAM: 98%
S: 99%		M: 94%
S: 89%		44% were very satisfied with misoprostol vs. 8% with MVA; 95% of those treated with misoprostol would choose it again vs. 36% treated with MVA.
Shwekerela 200720Tanzania (N = 150)600 mcg misoprostol orally/MVAM: 99%
S: 100%		M: 99%
S: 100%		75% were very satisfied with misoprostol vs.55% with MVA; more side effects were associated with misoprostol; greater pain with MVA.
Bique 200721Mozambique (N = 270)600 mcg misoprostol orally/MVAM: 91%
S: 100%		M: 96%
S: 100%		87% were very satisfied with misoprostol vs. 37% with MVA; trained midwife provided MVA with only verbal anesthesia; tertiary hospital site.
Montesinos 201122Ecuador (N = 242)600 mcg misoprostol orally/MVAM: 94%
S: 100%		M: 96%
S: 97%		47% were very satisfied with misoprostol vs. 40% with MVA; ultrasound use decreased threefold for misoprostol and MVA in 1 year.
Shochet 201223Senegal (N = 199)
Niger (N = 152)
Mauritania (N = 119)
Nigeria (N = 51)
Burkina Faso (N = 318)		400 mcg misoprostol sublingually/ standard surgical care (MVA or D&C)Senegal
M: 93%
S: 100%
Niger
M: 89%
S: 100%
Mauritania
M: 91%
S: 100%
Nigeria
M: 96%
S: 100%
Burkina Faso
M: 98%
S: 100%		Overall in the 5 countries M: 99%
S:98%		Antibiotics given with the surgical option; success rates much higher with misoprostol after first month from introduction. Ultrasound not needed on site. Nurses and midwives had prominent roles in care in Burkina Faso, Niger, and Senegal.

  • Abbreviations: D&C, dilation and curettage; M, misoprostol; MVA, manual vacuum aspiration; PAC, postabortion care; S, surgical.