Biomedical subjects

E Westley

Publications and source records attributed to E Westley.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Misoprostol use in developing countries: results from a multicountry study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify information and service delivery needs for obstetric/gynecologic uses of misoprostol in developing countries. METHODS: The study included a survey of reproductive health providers in 23 countries and a qualitative study of misoprostol use in four developing countries. Researchers used purposive sampling methods for the survey and qualitative study and conducted a descriptive statistical analysis of survey data and computer-assisted text-based content analysis of qualitative data. RESULTS: In some developing countries, women frequently access misoprostol through pharmacies and self-medicate to induce early abortion. Some clinicians expressed concern about this use of misoprostol, but many stated that its availability had reduced serious complications resulting from unsafe abortions. CONCLUSION: Although misoprostol is routinely used for a range of off-label obstetric/gynecologic indications, evidence-based, up-to-date information about safety, effectiveness, and appropriate regimens is not widely available. This information is requested by providers, including pharmacists. Women need information and guidance about its use.

Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal↗

PubMed2000

What do family planning clients and university students in Nairobi, Kenya, know and think about emergency contraception?

Currently, emergency contraception is seldom used in Kenya. As part of a larger study designed to provide insight into the possible roles for the method in Kenya, we assessed the knowledge of and attitudes towards emergency contraception in two groups of potential users, and we focus on these data specifically in this paper. We interviewed clustered samples of clients at ten family planning clinics in Nairobi (n = 282) and conducted four focus group discussions with students at two universities in Kenya (n = 42). Results show that despite relatively low levels of awareness and widespread misinformation, when the method was explained, both clients and students expressed considerable interest, but also expressed some health and other concerns.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Emergency contraception: a global overview.

Emergency contraception, sometimes referred to as "morning after" or postcoital contraception, provides a second chance for women who experience contraceptive failure or do not use a method, as well as for women who experience unplanned intercourse, including coerced sex or rape. The two primary methods of emergency contraception are postcoital use of a higher dose of oral contraceptive pills and insertion of an intrauterine device (IUD). Both can significantly reduce a woman's chance of becoming pregnant (75% and 99% respectively). Knowledge of emergency contraception is crucial, since women must know they can prevent pregnancy after intercourse in order to seek out treatment. While rates of unwanted pregnancy vary in different countries and among population groups, the need for emergency contraception is critical worldwide, However, the availability of emergency contraception differs widely. It is most extensively used in Europe, but is still a new method in other countries, including the United States.

Contraceptives, Postcoital↗