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Observational Study
. 2024 Nov;167(2):804-809.
doi: 10.1002/ijgo.15708. Epub 2024 May 27.

Evaluation of telemedicine medical abortion using a no-test protocol in the Eastern Europe and Central Asian region: Evidence from Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan

Tamar Tsereteli  1 , Ingrida Platais  1   2 , Mahlet Maru  1 , Galyna Maystruk  3 , Dilfuza Kurbanbekova  4 , Gulnara Rzayeva  5 , Beverly Winikoff  1
Affiliations
Observational Study

Evaluation of telemedicine medical abortion using a no-test protocol in the Eastern Europe and Central Asian region: Evidence from Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan

Tamar Tsereteli et al. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2024 Nov.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate safety, feasibility, and acceptability of a telemedicine medical abortion service without pre-treatment in-person tests in Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan.

Methods: We conducted an open-label, prospective, observational clinical study at five clinics in the three countries. Interested and eligible participants scheduled a telemedicine consultation with a study provider by phone or video. Medical abortion pills could be obtained by mail or courier or picked up at the study clinic or a pharmacy. Study providers contacted participants 1 week after mifepristone ingestion to assess abortion outcomes based on symptoms, and 3 weeks later to review the result of an at-home, high-sensitivity, urine pregnancy test. Participants were referred to in-person visit based on symptoms, urine pregnancy test results, or initiative by the participant.

Results: In all, 300 women participated in the study. Almost all participants received medical abortion medications the same day as their first contact with the study clinic, and the majority (n = 297, 99.0%) did not experience any problems receiving them. All except two women (0.67%) followed provider instructions on administration of medications. The majority of participants had a complete abortion without a procedure (Ukraine: n = 115, 95.8%; Uzbekistan: n = 127, 97.7%; Azerbaijan: n = 49, 98.0%), few had in-person visits (Ukraine: n = 30, 25.0%; Uzbekistan: n = 3, 2.3%; Azerbaijan: n = 4, 8.0%), and most were very satisfied or satisfied with the service (Ukraine: n = 116, 96%; Uzbekistan: n = 128, 98%; Azerbaijan: n = 45, 90%). No serious adverse events occurred.

Conclusion: Telemedicine medical abortion using the no-test protocol is safe, feasible and acceptable for women in Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan.

Keywords: Azerbaijan; Ukraine; Uzbekistan; medical abortion; no‐test; telemedicine.

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References

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