Knowledge and provision of misoprostol among pharmacy workers in Senegal: a cross sectional study

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Research Article

Kate Reiss¹  Katharine Footman¹  Maaike van Min¹  Thoai D. Ngo¹  Eva Burke²  Ramatoulaye Ndao²  Nafissatou Diop³  Babacar Mane³ 

[1] Health Systems Department, Marie Stopes International, 1 Conway Street, W1T 6LP, London, UK;Marie Stopes International Senegal, Sacre Coeur III, 10082 VDN, Dakar, Senegal;Population Council Senegal, Sacre Coeur Pyrotechnie, Appartement 2ème Etage à Droite, BP: 21027, Dakar, Ponty, Senegal;

关键词: Misoprostol;    Post abortion care;    Postpartum haemorrhage;    Pharmacy;    Maternal mortality;    Senegal;    Reproductive health;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12884-017-1394-5

 received in 2015-10-19, accepted in 2017-06-22,  发布年份 2017

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundMaking misoprostol widely available for management of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) and post abortion care (PAC) is essential for reducing maternal mortality. Private pharmacies (thereafter called “pharmacies”) are integral in supplying medications to the general public in Senegal. In the case of misoprostol, pharmacies are also the main supplier to public providers and therefore have a key role in increasing its availability. This study seeks to understand knowledge and provision of misoprostol among pharmacy workers in Dakar, Senegal.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted in Dakar, Senegal. 110 pharmacy workers were interviewed face-to-face to collect information on their knowledge and practice relating to the provision of misoprostol.ResultsThere are low levels of knowledge about misoprostol uses, registration status, treatment regimens and side effects among pharmacy workers, and corresponding low levels of training on its uses for reproductive health. Provision of misoprostol was low; of the 72% (n = 79) of pharmacy workers who had heard of the product, 35% (n = 27) reported selling it, though rarely for reproductive health indications. Almost half (49%, n = 25) of the respondents who did not sell misoprostol expressed willingness to do so. The main reasons pharmacy workers gave for not selling the product included stock outs (due to product unavailability from the supplier), perceived lack of demand and unwillingness to stock an abortifacient.ConclusionsKnowledge and availability of misoprostol in pharmacies in Senegal is low, posing potential challenges for delivery of post-abortion care and obstetric care. Training is required to address low levels of knowledge of misoprostol registration and uses among pharmacy workers. Barriers that prevent pharmacy workers from stocking misoprostol, including weaknesses in the supply chain and stigmatisation of the product must be addressed. Low reported sales for reproductive health indications also suggest limited prescribing of the product by health providers. Further research is needed to explore the reasons for this barrier to misoprostol availability.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s). 2017