Ngondo Denise P, Akilimali Pierre Z, Tran Nguyen Toan, Lobo Nadia, Kayembe Dynah M, Kabasubabo Francis K, Mpoyi Mike, Mulunda Jean-Claude, Sheehy Grace, Lusamba Paul Samson Dikassa
Patrick Kayembe Research Center, Kinshasa School of Public Health, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa P.O. Box 11850, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa P.O. Box 11850, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Healthcare (Basel). 2025 Feb 24;13(5):491. doi: 10.3390/healthcare13050491.
: Pharmacies are important points of access and information for women seeking medication abortion. In the context of the Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC], where the legal conditions for abortion have expanded in recent years and now allow pharmacies to dispense medication abortion with a prescription, little is known about medication abortion counseling and care offered by pharmacy staff. The aim of this study was to explore the quality of information provided by pharmacy staff to customers seeking medication abortion in Kinshasa. : A cross-sectional study using the mystery client (MC) approach was conducted in 480 pharmacies between April and May 2023. Trained female ( = 9) and male ( = 3) investigators played the role of mystery clients seeking abortion medication for themselves (or their partner or relative), and they asked questions to assess the performance of pharmacy staff and the quality of the provided information. The MCs recorded the results of their visits immediately after they left the pharmacy. Data were analyzed using Stata 17.0 and QGIS. The research protocol received ethical approval from the Kinshasa School of Public Health, and the need for informed consent was waived as pharmacy providers were being observed acting in their professional capacity. : Misoprostol was available at 40% of pharmacies visited, while mifepristone-misoprostol was available at less than 2%. Correct dosage information for misoprostol was provided by only 23% of the providers, with the lowest proportion observed in interactions involving male partners (2.4%). During discussions, only 10.6% of the providers explained what to expect during the abortion process. The quality of information differed according to the client profile, the district, and whether the client had a prescription. : While medication abortion can provide a safe option for women seeking to manage their own abortion, the lack of adequate information on the correct dosage and administration can hinder the effectiveness of this regimen. To fully realize the potential of this medication for reducing unsafe abortion, it is essential that pharmacy staff are trained and supported to provide high-quality information and services, and that inequities in access to medications are addressed.
对于寻求药物流产的女性来说，药店是重要的获取渠道和信息来源。在刚果民主共和国（DRC），近年来堕胎的法律条件有所放宽，现在允许药店凭处方配药进行药物流产，但对于药店工作人员提供的药物流产咨询和护理却知之甚少。本研究的目的是探讨金沙萨药店工作人员向寻求药物流产的顾客提供信息的质量。
2023年4月至5月期间，在480家药店进行了一项采用神秘顾客（MC）方法的横断面研究。经过培训的9名女性和3名男性调查员扮演为自己（或其伴侣或亲属）寻求堕胎药物的神秘顾客，并通过提问来评估药店工作人员的表现和所提供信息的质量。神秘顾客在离开药店后立即记录他们的访问结果。使用Stata 17.0和QGIS对数据进行分析。该研究方案获得了金沙萨公共卫生学院的伦理批准，由于观察的是药店工作人员的专业行为，因此无需获得知情同意。
在所访问的药店中，40%有米索前列醇，而米非司酮 - 米索前列醇组合的药店不到2%。只有23%的提供者提供了米索前列醇的正确剂量信息，在涉及男性伴侣的互动中比例最低（2.4%）。在讨论过程中，只有10.6%的提供者解释了堕胎过程中会发生什么。所提供信息的质量因顾客类型、地区以及顾客是否有处方而有所不同。
虽然药物流产可以为寻求自行堕胎的女性提供一种安全的选择，但缺乏关于正确剂量和用药方法的充分信息可能会妨碍该方案的有效性。为了充分发挥这种药物在减少不安全堕胎方面的潜力，至关重要的是要培训和支持药店工作人员提供高质量的信息和服务，并解决药物获取方面的不平等问题。
