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The Use of Manual Vacuum Aspiration in the Treatment of Incomplete Abortions: A Descriptive Study from Three Public Hospitals in Malawi

Author

Listed:
  • Maria Lisa Odland

    (Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway)

  • Gladys Membe-Gadama

    (Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi)

  • Ursula Kafulafula

    (Kamuzu College of Nursing, Blantyre, Malawi)

  • Geir W. Jacobsen

    (Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway)

  • James Kumwenda

    (Mangochi District Hospital, Mangochi, Malawi)

  • Elisabeth Darj

    (Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
    Department of Woman´s Health and Children´s Health, Uppsala University, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
    Department of Gynecology, St. Olav´s Hospital, NO-7030 Trondheim, Norway)

Abstract

Malawi has a high maternal mortality rate, of which unsafe abortion is a major cause. About 140,000 induced abortions are estimated every year, despite there being a restrictive abortion law in place. This leads to complications, such as incomplete abortions, which need to be treated to avoid further harm. Although manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) is a safe and cheap method of evacuating the uterus, the most commonly used method in Malawi is curettage. Medical treatment is used sparingly in the country, and the Ministry of Health has been trying to increase the use of MVA. The aim of this study was to investigate the treatment of incomplete abortions in three public hospitals in Southern Malawi during a three-year period. All medical files from the female/gynecological wards from 2013 to 2015 were reviewed. In total, information on obstetric history, demographics, and treatment were collected from 7270 women who had been treated for incomplete abortions. The overall use of MVA at the three hospitals during the study period was 11.4% (95% CI, 10.7–12.1). However, there was a major increase in MVA application at one District Hospital. Why there was only one successful hospital in this study is unclear, but may be due to more training and dedicated leadership at this particular hospital. Either way, the use of MVA in the treatment of incomplete abortions continues to be low in Malawi, despite recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Malawi Ministry of Health.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Lisa Odland & Gladys Membe-Gadama & Ursula Kafulafula & Geir W. Jacobsen & James Kumwenda & Elisabeth Darj, 2018. "The Use of Manual Vacuum Aspiration in the Treatment of Incomplete Abortions: A Descriptive Study from Three Public Hospitals in Malawi," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-9, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:2:p:370-:d:132606
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Jon Øyvind Odland, 2018. "Teenage Reproductive Health: Pregnancy, Contraception, Unsafe Abortion, Fertility," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-4, June.
    2. Bertha Magreta Chakhame & Elisabeth Darj & Mphatso Mwapasa & Ursula Kalimembe Kafulafula & Alfred Maluwa & Grace Chiudzu & Address Malata & Jon Øyvind Odland & Maria Lisa Odland, 2022. "Experiences of Using Misoprostol in the Management of Incomplete Abortions: A Voice of Healthcare Workers in Central Malawi," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-12, September.

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