Do Actions Speak Louder than Words? Assessing How Drug Sellers Sell and Dispense Misoprostol for Abortion in Lagos State, Nigeria.

Akanni I. Akinyemi, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
Melissa Stillman, Guttmacher Institute
Amanda Berry, Guttmacher Institute
Erinfolami Temitope, Obafemi Awolowo University
Adesegun O. Fatusi, Obafemi Awolowo University
Olalekan Olagunju
Onikepe Owolabi, Vital Strategies
Ann M. Moore, Guttmacher Institute
Akinrinola Bankole, Guttmacher Institute

Nigeria has restrictive abortion laws but high incidence of induced abortion (41.1 - 62.5/1,000 women of reproductive age). Misoprostol has become widely available and readily procured from informal drug vendors for medical abortion (MA); the practice of drug vendors, including information provided to clients, is however not known. Data were collected to assess the practice of drug vendors through interviewer-administered questionnaires and mystery clients in 6 LGAs of Lagos. About 59% of 207 drug sellers interviewed had post-secondary education and 46% had health-related qualifications. Sixty-four percent of women with abortion-related requests within one month prior to the survey were offered MA. About a fifth of drug sellers did not provide information on how to use misoprostol (26%), potential complications (21%), or follow-up (30%). Information from the MC study showed poorer practices compared to self-report. Further analyses will examine additional differences between report and practice and factors influencing knowledge of MA.