Safety and effectiveness of Mifegymiso® offered through different service delivery points: a national prospective cohort study

Medication abortion with mifepristone and misoprostol has the potential to advance women’s access to safe and geographically accessible abortion care. Improved access to medication abortion protects women’s right to health and supports women’s autonomy and agency. However, the over-regulation of mifepristone in much of the Global North has muted the promise of this pill-based regimen of abortion care. Although Health Canada only approved mifepristone in 2015, Canada’s regulatory environment has leapfrogged that of other countries, thus allowing the mifepristone/misoprostol regimen to be integrated into a range of service delivery systems, including a number of demedicalized strategies. In this two-year national prospective cohort study we aim to collect information from different types of providers to assess the safety and effectiveness associated with the provision of medication abortion. We aim to analyze quantitative data from approximately 15,000 patients to assess safety and effectiveness and identify any differences in outcome by type of service delivery and geographic location. This study represents a partnership between the University of Ottawa and the National Abortion Federation (NAF) Canada. Our findings will have programmatic and policy implications and the results will support the efforts of NAF Canada to improve access to medication abortion in Canada and beyond.

Faculty Supervisor:

Angel Foster

Student:

Anvita Dixit

Partner:

National Abortion Federation Canada

Discipline:

Kinesiology

Sector:

Other services (except public administration)

University:

University of Ottawa