Misoprostol use in obstetrics and gynecology in Brazil, Jamaica, and the United States

Objectives: To investigate current clinical use of misoprostol for the treatment of a range of reproductive health indications by providers in Brazil, Jamaica, and the United States. Methods: Using a 'snowball' sampling technique, we surveyed 228 gynecologists and obstetricians in Brazil (n = 123), Jamaica (n = 52), and the United States (n = 53). Results: Providers use misoprostol for labor induction (46%), postpartum hemorrhage (8%), intra-uterine fetal death (61%), cervical priming (21%), missed abortion (57%), and incomplete abortion (16%) as well as first and second trimester abortion induction (27% and 13%, respectively). Conclusions: There is considerable variation in the regimens used; moreover, the regimens commonly used in clinical practice often differ from those recommended in the medical literature. While misoprostol is an appealing alternative for many reproductive health indications in developing countries, the varied regimens and lack of registration raise critical medical and policy questions. © 2002 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. All rights reserved.