In this paper, we present the results of a study using a simplified regimen of medical abortion conducted in four urban clinics in Turkey. This study which began in August 2000 provides the rare opportunity to offer cutting-edge medical abortion technology to women in a predominantly Islamic country where abortion is legal and available (although not always easily accessible) in most cities. In total, 200 women from Ankara, Eskisehir and Izmir participated in this study. This trial explores the safety and acceptability of two modifications to the standard medical abortion regimen offered in Europe: a reduced dose of mifepristone (which will help assure that this method is affordable) and the option of taking the second drug, misoprostol, at home (making the service delivery less cumbersome and granting women greater privacy).
This paper details women’s experiences with this method. In addition to recording the overall efficacy rate, it provides safety data for women who took the misoprostol in the clinic and women who chose home administration. The study documents the acceptability of this method, including its perceived advantages over surgical abortion, overall satisfaction with the method, and its best and worst features.
Learning Objectives: 1) List two aspects of the simplified regimen of medical abortion, 2) List three reasons why Turkish women may prefer medical to surgical abortion, 3)Identify three reasons why women may prefer home administration of misoprostol, rather than the standard clinic administration of this drug.
Keywords: Abortion, Reproductive Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.