Effectiveness, safety, and acceptability of first-trimester medical termination of pregnancy performed by non-doctor providers: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Previous systematic reviews have concluded that medical termination of pregnancy (TOP) performed by non-doctor providers may be as effective and safe as when provided by doctors. Medical treatment of incomplete miscarriage by non-doctor providers and the treated women's acceptance of non-doctor providers of TOP has not previously been reviewed. OBJECTIVES: To review the effectiveness, safety, and acceptability of first-trimester medical TOP, including medical treatment for incomplete miscarriage, by trained non-doctor providers. SEARCH STRATEGY AND SELECTION CRITERIA: A search strategy using appropriate medical subject headings was developed. Electronic databases (PubMed, Popline, Cochrane, CINAHL, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov) were searched from inception through April 2016. Randomised controlled trials and comparative observational studies were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Meta-analyses were performed for included randomised controlled trials regarding the outcomes of effectiveness and acceptability to women. Certainty of evidence was established using the GRADE approach assessing study limitations, consistency of effect, imprecision, indirectness and publication bias. MAIN RESULTS: Six papers were included. Medical TOP and medical treatment of incomplete miscarriage is probably equally effective when performed by non-doctor providers as when performed by doctors (RR 1.00; 95% CI 0.99-1.01). Women's acceptance, reported as overall satisfaction with the allocated provider, is probably equally high between groups (RR 1.00; 95% CI 1.00-1.01). CONCLUSION: Medical TOP and medical treatment of incomplete miscarriage provided by trained non-doctor providers is probably equally as effective and acceptable to women as when provided by doctors. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Medical termination of pregnancy performed by doctors and non-doctors can be equally effective and acceptable.

Self-administration of injectable contraceptives: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The contraceptive injectable is a safe and effective method that is used worldwide. With the variety of injectable delivery systems, there is potential for administration by the woman herself. Self-administration of the contraceptive injectable is the subject of this systematic review. OBJECTIVES: To assess how effective and safe the contraceptive injectable method is when women themselves perform/administer it, compared with when the usual healthcare providers administer it. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched PubMed, Popline, Cochrane, CINAHL, and Embase for articles with subject headings or text words related to 'self-administration' and 'contraception'. SELECTION CRITERIA: Studies that compared the administration of the contraceptive injectable by the woman herself versus administration by the healthcare provider were included. Outcomes of interest were continuation rates, safety, and the women's overall satisfaction with the contraceptive provider and method. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We undertook data extraction, descriptive analysis, and assessment of risk of bias. MAIN RESULTS: Three studies met the inclusion criteria. The best available evidence shows that there may be little or no difference in continuation rates when women self-administer contraceptive injections (326 per 1000 women; 95% CI 192-554 per 1000 women) compared with administration by healthcare providers (304 per 1000 women). Safety was not estimable as no serious adverse events were reported in any of the studies. With regards to overall satisfaction towards the provider and the method, the effect of the intervention was uncertain. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that with appropriate information and training the provision of contraceptive injectables for the woman to self-administer at home can be an option in some contexts. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: This review assessed the continuation rates and safety of self-administration of the contraceptive injection.