Analysis of uterine evacuation methods in postabortion care after implementation of a surveillance network (CLAP MUSA-Network) at a university hospital

by Nelio N. Veiga-Junior, Caroline Eugeni, Beatriz D. Kajiura, Priscilla B. F. Dantas, Caroline B. Trabach, Aline A. Junqueira, Carina C. Nunes, Luiz F. Baccaro

Background

Management of uterine evacuation is essential for increasing safe abortion care. Monitoring through surveillance systems tracks changes in clinical practice and provides information to improve equity in abortion care quality.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) and medical abortion (MA), and identify the factors associated with each uterine evacuation method after surveillance network installation at a Brazilian hospital.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included women admitted for abortion or miscarriage to the University of Campinas Women’s Hospital, Brazil, between July 2017 and November 2020. The dependent variables were the use of MVA and MA with misoprostol. The independent variables were the patients’ clinical and sociodemographic data. The Cochran–Armitage, chi-square, and Mann–Whitney U tests, as well as multiple logistic regression analysis, were used to compare uterine evacuation methods.

Results

We enrolled 474 women in the study, 91.35% of whom underwent uterine evacuation via uterine curettage (78.75%), MVA (9.46%), or MA (11.54%). MVA use increased during the study period (Z = 9.85, p < 0.001). Admission in 2020 (odds ratio [OR] 64.22; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.79–1086.69) and lower gestational age (OR 0.837; 95% CI 0.724–0.967) were independently associated with MVA, whereas the only factor independently associated with MA was a higher education level (OR 2.66; 95% CI 1.30–5.46).

Conclusion

MVA use increased following the installation of a surveillance network for good clinical practice. Being part of a network that encourages the use of evidence-based methods provides an opportunity for healthcare facilities to increase access to safe abortions.