Kampala, Uganda – Dr. Susan Atuhairwe’s doctoral study for which she earned a Ph.D. during today’s graduation at Makerere University, provides hope for post-abortion care specialists.
Her study “Safety, Effectiveness, and Acceptability of Misoprostol for Treatment of Incomplete Mid-Trimester Abortion in Uganda,” promises to be a catalyst for transformative changes in healthcare policies, particularly in the sphere of post-abortion care, aiming for increased accessibility, safety, and acceptability.
Dr. Atuhairwe conducted a multi-center randomized controlled equivalence trial at 14 public health facilities in Central Uganda and managed to obtain compelling evidence that has the potential to solve the complications associated with the management of second-trimester post –abortion care.
The results indicate that clinical assessment and treatment of second-trimester incomplete abortion, using misoprostol, were equally effective, safe, and highly acceptable when provided by midwives compared to physicians.
“Having focused on task-sharing, exploring whether entrusting midwives with the management of second-trimester post-abortion care using misoprostol is as safe, effective, and acceptable as when administered by physicians,” her study reveals.
The findings further suggest that empowering midwives to provide misoprostol increases patients’ access to care, ensuring a more inclusive and accessible healthcare system for women undergoing second-trimester post-abortion care.
What her study implies for policy
This groundbreaking study holds significant implications for both national and global policies on post-abortion care in the second trimester.
In regions facing challenges of inadequate physician staffing, or where midwives are readily available, task-sharing second-trimester medical post-abortion care with midwives emerges as a feasible and effective solution.
Dr. Atuhairwe’s study was made possible through funding from the Swedish Research Council and THRIVE.
The research was conducted under the expert supervision of Prof. Kristina Gemzell-Danielsson, Prof. Johesephat Byamugisha, Dr. Claudia Hanson, and Prof. Nazarius Mbona Tumwesigye.
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