Beyond the law: Misoprostol and medical abortion in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Misoprostol has during the past few years become an important obstetric drug used for different purposes both within and outside hospitals in Tanzania. In this paper, we analyze how misoprostol is perceived, accessed and used off-label as an abortion drug in the city and region of Dar es Salaam. The study took place in Dar es Salaam's three districts from July to November 2015, and had a qualitative explorative approach. We carried out in-depth interviews (42) with the following main categories of informants: women having undergone medical abortion (15), health care workers with experiences from post abortion care (16) and drug vendors (11). Focus group discussions (10) were carried out with young women. A client simulation study was carried out in 64 drugstores across Dar es Salaam assessing the availability of misoprostol and the advice given concerning its use. In addition, shorter qualitative interviews were carried out with representatives of NGOs and public agencies working with sexual and reproductive health issues (17). Our findings reveal that in Dar es Salaam, misoprostol is well known, available and accessed for abortion purposes through drugstores and health providers. Women tend to prefer misoprostol over other abortion methods since it allows for a private, low-cost, safer and less uncomfortable abortion experience. But, while misoprostol facilitates women's agency in the process of seeking abortion, a series of obstacles shaped by a restrictive abortion law and an unregulated pharmaceutical market hinder its safe use. Central obstacles are profit-seeking providers, suboptimal user instructions and poor provider follow-up. In the discussion of the material we draw upon Van der Geest, Hardon and Whyte's concept of the 'social life of pharmaceuticals' and indicate the ways in which misoprostol acts as an agent of change in the social relations connected to abortion.

Polycystic ovaries and associated clinical and biochemical features among women with infertility in a tertiary hospital in Tanzania.

The aim of this study was to determine prevalence of polycystic ovaries (PCO) and associated clinical and biochemical features among women with infertility attending gynaecological outpatient department (GOPD) at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. All women with infertility attending the GOPD from 11th September 2006 to 15th February 2007 were recruited to the study. Information on socio-demographic, obstetric and menstrual characteristics was collected. Anthropometric measurement, clinical examination of acne and hirsutism, vaginal ultrasonography for PCO and biochemical analysis of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone were performed. All 102 women who attended the GOPD during the study period due to infertility were recruited. Two women were excluded after diagnosis of pregnancy made by hormonal assay and ultrasonography thus remaining with 100 women for analysis. Oligomenorrhoea and acne were significantly higher in a group of women with PCO than among women with normal ovaries. The mean hirsutism score though was not significant, was higher in women with PCO than in women with normal ovaries (5.1 +/- 2.7 vs. 4 +/- 2.4, P < 0.057). Using the Rotterdam criteria 32 (32%) women were diagnosed to have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Among these women 25 (78.1%) had PCO, 24 (75%) had signs of oligoanovulation, and 18 (56.3%) had hirsutism. Among 68 women with no PCOS, 7 (10.3%) had polycystic ovaries, 15 (22.1%) had signs of oligoanovulation and 6 (8.8%) had hirsutism. In conclusion, polycystic ovaries are common among women with infertility, however are not necessarily associated with polycystic ovary syndrome. Doctors should investigate their clients for PCOS and offer appropriate treatment.