Telephone follow-up after early medical abortion using Australia's first low sensitivity urine pregnancy test.

BACKGROUND: Follow-up after early medical abortion (EMA) in Australia often entails tracking serum human chorionic gonadotropin levels or performing ultrasonography in-clinic. In other countries, methods of follow-up such as using a low-sensitivity urine pregnancy test (LSUPT), telephone evaluation and a questionnaire have been demonstrated to be safe and acceptable. AIMS: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of telephone follow-up after EMA using an LSUPT and questionnaire. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective observational cohort study of patients undergoing telephone follow-up after EMA using an LSUPT and questionnaire was conducted from March 26 to July 31, 2020. Outcomes of patients who returned to clinic because of a positive LSUPT were evaluated and adverse event rates were calculated. Routinely collected adverse event information was used to compare complication rates during the evaluation period with that prior to introduction of the LSUPT. RESULTS: During the study period, 2223 patients underwent the new protocol. One hundred and ninety-seven patients had a positive LSUPT at their telephone follow-up. One hundred and thirty-two had an incomplete abortion, 11 had a continuing pregnancy, 53 had a complete abortion and one left the clinic before full assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Introduction of telephone follow-up with an at-home LSUPT reduced the number of patients requiring unnecessary clinic appointments, with over 90% of patients completing their follow-up at home. Complication rates during the study period were found to be at least comparable with previously identified organisational adverse events.

Current barriers and potential strategies to increase the use of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) to reduce the rate of unintended pregnancies in Australia: An expert roundtable discussion.

BACKGROUND: Australia's abortion rates are among the highest in the developed world. Efficacy of the most commonly used form of contraception (oral contraceptives and condoms) relies on regular user compliance. Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) virtually eradicates contraceptive failure as it is not user-dependent; however, its uptake has been low. AIM: To provide an overview of barriers to LARC use in Australia and potential strategies to overcome these barriers. METHOD: A roundtable of Australian experts was convened to share clinical perspectives and to explore the barriers and potential strategies to increase LARC use. RESULTS: Three broad barriers to LARC uptake were identified. (i) A paucity of Australian research exists that impedes closure of evidence gaps regarding contraceptive prescription and use. Systematic data collection is required. (ii) Within primary care, lack of familiarity with LARC and misperceptions about its use, lack of access to general practitioners (GPs) trained in LARC insertion/removal and affordability impede LARC uptake. Potential strategies to encourage LARC use include, GP education to promote informed choice by women, training in LARC insertions/removals, effective funding models for nurses to perform LARC insertions/removals, and rapid referral pathways. (iii) At the health system level, primary care incentives to provide LARC to women and health economic analyses to inform government policy changes are required. CONCLUSIONS: Although LARC decreases unintended pregnancies by eliminating user compliance issues, its uptake is low in Australia. Strategies that promote LARC uptake by targeting specific barriers may effectively reduce Australia's high unintended pregnancy rate.

Efficacy and safety of mifepristone-buccal misoprostol for early medical abortion in an Australian clinical setting.

BACKGROUND: In 2014, a composite pack containing mifepristone-buccal misoprostol, indicated for use to 63 days gestation replaced the existing regimen for early medical abortion (EMA) in Australia. AIMS: To provide updated efficacy and safety information for the use of mifepristone-buccal misoprostol for EMA in Australia, and assess the effect of patient age and gestational age on efficacy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Observational cohort study of 15 008 women attending one of 16 Marie Stopes International clinics in Australia for an EMA (gestational age ≤ 63 days) between 1 March 2013 and 30 September 2015. Administration of 200 mg oral mifepristone in-clinic was followed 24-48 h later by 800 µg buccal misoprostol self-administered at home. Method success was defined as complete abortion not requiring surgical intervention. RESULTS: Follow-up information was available for 87.14% (13 078/15 008) of women. Likelihood of follow-up was significantly lower for women from rural or remote locations (adjusted odds ratio, 0.47; P < 0.001). Medical abortion was successful in 95.16% (12 445/13 078) of women with follow-up. Higher patient and gestational ages were associated (P < 0.001) with a slight increase in method failure. There were 674 serious adverse events (5.15%), mainly due to method failure. Infection (15; 0.11%) and haemorrhage (17; 0.13%) were rare. One death was recorded (<0.01%); however, an association between EMA and cause of death, necrotising pneumonia, was not established. CONCLUSION: Mifepristone-buccal misoprostol is an effective and safe alternative to surgical termination of pregnancy up to 63 days gestation.

Access, equity and costs of induced abortion services in Australia: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: To examine access and equity to induced abortion services in Australia, including factors associated with presenting beyond nine weeks gestation. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey of 2,326 women aged 16+ years attending for an abortion at 14 Dr Marie clinics. Associations with later presentation assessed using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Over a third of eligible women opted for a medical abortion. More than one in 10 (11.2%) stayed overnight. The median Medicare rebated upfront cost of a medical abortion was $560, compared to $470 for a surgical abortion at ≤9 weeks. Beyond 12 weeks, costs rose considerably. More than two-thirds (68.1%) received financial assistance from one or more sources. Women who travelled ≥4 hours (AdjOR: 3.0, 95%CI 1.2-7.3), had no prior knowledge of the medical option (AdjOR: 2.1, 95%CI 1.4-3.1), had difficulty paying (AdjOR: 1.5, 95%CI 1.2-1.9) and identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (AdjOR: 2.1, 95%CI 1.2-3.4) were more likely to present ≥9 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Abortion costs are substantial, increase at later gestations, and are a financial strain for many women. Poor knowledge, geographical and financial barriers restrict method choice. Implications for public health: Policy reform should focus on reducing costs and enhancing early access.

Mifepristone by prescription: a dream in the United States but reality in Australia.

The requirement that mifepristone be dispensed only by physicians in offices, clinics or hospitals - and not by prescription in pharmacies - has likely limited uptake by providers in the United States. However, in several other countries, provision by prescription in pharmacies is allowed, including in Australia. Mifepristone was first registered in Australia in 2012, and in 2015, a composite package including 200 mg mifepristone and four tablets of misoprostol 200 mcg was registered. Both were approved as Schedule 4 medications, which require prescribing by a physician and may be dispensed at pharmacies. As part of the registration for both products, a risk management plan was instituted that has several components. First, physicians must be certified to prescribe mifepristone. General practitioners wishing to become certified must complete online training that includes prescribing requirements and managing the medical abortion process; obstetrician-gynecologists are exempt from the online learning module. Pharmacists must also be certified in order to dispense the medication, although this does not require additional training. When a pharmacist receives a prescription for mifepristone, she or he must confirm through a secure website that the prescriber is certified. In every region of the country, there are more certified prescribers and dispensers of mifepristone than the number of facilities providing abortion care. The experience in Australia demonstrates the feasibility of mifepristone by prescription and should be a model for expanding access to early medical abortion in the United States.

Factors predicting uptake of long-acting reversible methods of contraception among women presenting for abortion.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the uptake of long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods after abortion among women seeking abortions through a major Australian abortion provider. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study of women's post-abortion contraceptive choices, conducted at Marie Stopes International clinics across Australia between 1 September and 31 December 2012. PARTICIPANTS: 7267 of 9477 women (76.7%) presenting during the study period had data collection forms completed. Analysis was based on the 6348 women with completed demographic details. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Uptake and immediate provision of LARC contraception after abortion. RESULTS: Just over a quarter of women (1742; 27.4%) chose a LARC method for use after abortion. Of those choosing a LARC, immediate provision occurred in 71.1%. Compared with women aged 20-24 years, those aged 16-19 years were less likely to have immediate LARC insertion and those over 30 more likely. Women in the lowest socioeconomic quintile were the least likely to leave the service with their chosen LARC in place compared with those in higher quintiles. Immediate LARC provision occurred more often after surgical abortion compared with medical abortion (1034 [74.4%] v 204 [60.0%]; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Among women who opted for a LARC method after abortion, immediate provision was less likely to occur in women aged under 30 years, less likely as their level of disadvantage increased and more likely after surgical abortion compared with medical abortion. Public health policy needs to facilitate access to LARC methods after abortion so that more women are able to avoid a further unintended pregnancy.

Understanding the acceptability of e-mental health--attitudes and expectations towards computerised self-help treatments for mental health problems.

BACKGROUND: E-mental health and m-mental health include the use of technology in the prevention, treatment and aftercare of mental health problems. With the economical pressure on mental health services increasing, e-mental health and m-mental health could bridge treatment gaps, reduce waiting times for patients and deliver interventions at lower costs. However, despite the existence of numerous effective interventions, the transition of computerised interventions into care is slow. The aim of the present study was to investigate the acceptability of e-mental health and m-mental health in the general population. METHODS: An advisory group of service users identified dimensions that potentially influence an individual's decision to engage with a particular treatment for mental health problems. A large sample (N = 490) recruited through email, flyers and social media was asked to rate the acceptability of different treatment options for mental health problems on these domains. Results were analysed using repeated measures MANOVA. RESULTS: Participants rated the perceived helpfulness of an intervention, the ability to motivate users, intervention credibility, and immediate access without waiting time as most important dimensions with regard to engaging with a treatment for mental health problems. Participants expected face-to-face therapy to meet their needs on most of these dimensions. Computerised treatments and smartphone applications for mental health were reported to not meet participants' expectations on most domains. However, these interventions scored higher than face-to-face treatments on domains associated with the convenience of access. Overall, participants reported a very low likelihood of using computerised treatments for mental health in the future. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals in this study expressed negative views about computerised self-help intervention and low likelihood of use in the future. To improve the implementation and uptake, policy makers need to improve the public perception of such interventions.

Effectiveness of early medical abortion using low-dose mifepristone and buccal misoprostol in women with no defined intrauterine gestational sac.

BACKGROUND: The study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of early medical abortion (EMA) in women with early pregnancy and no defined intrauterine gestational sac (IUGS) on ultrasound. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective, multicenter, observational study of oral mifepristone 200 mg and buccal misoprostol 800 mcg administered 24-48 h later for EMA (gestations ≤ 63 days). Odds ratios (ORs) [95% confidence intervals (CIs)] of EMA failure and continuing pregnancy for women with no defined IUGS vs. those with confirmed IUGS were calculated. RESULTS: Women with no defined IUGS were more likely to experience EMA failure [9.0% (6/67) vs. 3.5% (465/13,345); OR (95% CI)=2.72 (1.17-6.33), p=.041] and continuing pregnancy [7.5% (5/67) vs. 0.6% (83/13,345); OR (95% CI)=12.72 (4.98-32.46), p<.001]. CONCLUSION: EMA failure is more likely in women with early pregnancy and no defined IUGS than those with gestations ≤ 63 days and confirmed IUGS.

Early medical abortion using low-dose mifepristone followed by buccal misoprostol: a large Australian observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of mifepristone in combination with buccal misoprostol in women undergoing an early medical abortion (EMA) in Australia. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Retrospective, observational study of 13,345 EMAs (gestational age ≤ 63 days) conducted at 15 Marie Stopes International Australia clinics between 1 September 2009 and 31 August 2011. INTERVENTION: Oral mifepristone 200 mg, administered at the clinic, followed 24-48 hours later by buccal misoprostol 800 µg, self-administered at home. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Failure rate (proportion of women with an incomplete abortion requiring surgical aspiration or a continuing pregnancy). RESULTS: Pregnancy termination follow-up information was available for 83.4% (11 155/13 376) of EMAs. From the patient demographic database, the EMA failure rate was 3.5% (465/13 345). Of these, most (382; 2.9% of total) were incomplete abortions requiring surgical aspiration, and 83 (0.6% of total) were continuing pregnancies. Haemorrhage (16; 0.1%) and known or suspected infection (25; 0.2%) were infrequent. One woman, who did not seek follow-up despite signs of infection, died from sepsis (< 0.01%). In 6755 EMAs with clinic follow-up from April 2010 to August 2011, 6381 women participated in a survey. Most reported medium or heavy bleeding and moderate or severe pain/cramps; most also reported that bleeding, pain/cramps and their overall experience were as expected or better than expected. CONCLUSIONS: Mifepristone, with buccal misoprostol self-administered at home, for EMA up to 63 days of gestation had a low failure rate, was well accepted, and provided an effective treatment option with a favourable safety profile for women seeking an abortion in Australia.