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Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Prevalence of MTP Cases and Their Clinicodemographic Profile in India: A Retrospective Multicentric Study

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Abstracts

Background:

During the Covid-19 pandemic, reproductive health of women was disproportionately affected due to difficult access to safe abortion and contraceptive services. This study aims to assess the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the prevalence of MTP cases and to find out the clinicodemographic profiles of women undergoing MTP during three Covid-waves in different hospitals-Government and private sectors in India.

Methods:

This retrospective multicentric cohort study was conducted during three Covid-19 pandemic waves. The records were retrieved from the centers’ medical record section and the MTP register from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Results:

On an average, 1.1 women/day underwent MTP during covid waves compared to 1.9 women/day during the pre-covid 2019. The first Covid wave’s average MTP/day was very low (0.71) compared to the third (2.88) and second wave (1.12), respectively. These differences were statistically significant (p<0.0001). The most common indication for MTP was contraceptive failure 245(50.9%), followed by eugenic/congenital anomalies 88(18.9%). A total of 244 cases (50.6%) reported for MTP ≤ seven weeks and 114(23.6%) presented between 7 and 12 weeks. More than half (54%) of the women underwent surgical methods for abortion as the unavailability of medical abortion (MA) drugs. IUCD and sterilization were severely affected during the first and second Covid waves.

Conclusion:

Safe abortions are essential services for reproductive-age women. With the uncertainty of future Covid-like an emergency, we should strengthen our telemedicine network so that women can reach out early and MMA can be initiated to reduce the number of surgical abortions and unwanted pregnancies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, UCMC and GTB Hospital, 110095, New Delhi, India

    Richa Sharma (MS, MNAMS, FICOG, FICMCH, CIMS, FMAS. Professor, FOGSI Medical Termination of Pregnancy Committee Chairperson 2021- 2025)

  2. JIPMER Hospital, Dhanvantari Nagar, Puducherry, 605006, India

    Pratima Agarwal (DNB, DGO, MNAMS, FICOG, Chief Medical Officer)

  3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Vivekanand Institute of Medical Science, B-1/45, Sector-J, Opp-RBI Colony, Aliganj, Lucknow, 226024, India

    Vaishali Jain (MD, FICOG, Senior Consultant & HOD)

  4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, JIPMER, Puducherry, 605006, India

    Haritha Sagili (MD, MD, FRCOG, MFSRH Professor)

  5. Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, JIPMER, Dhanvantari Nagar, Puducherry, 605006, India

    Sonali Sarkar (MD, Professor)

  6. Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Apollo Hospitals, Jubliee Hills, Villa 37, Aditya Empress Park. Shaikpet, Hyderabad, 500008, India

    Anuradha Panda (MD, DGO, FICOG, Senior Consultant)

  7. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Narendra Modi Medical College, 14 Alpakunj Society Hiral Darshan Flats, Bhattha Paldi, Maninagar, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380007, India

    Kruti Deliwala (MD, DGO, FICOG, Associate Professor)

  8. Obstetrics and Gynecology, Melaka Manipal Medical College, MAHE, Manipal. 88, Sai Radha Green Valley, Parampali, Udupi, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India

    Krupa Shah (MD, Associate professor)

Authors
  1. Richa Sharma
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  2. Pratima Agarwal
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  3. Vaishali Jain
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  4. Haritha Sagili
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  5. Sonali Sarkar
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  6. Anuradha Panda
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  7. Kruti Deliwala
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  8. Krupa Shah
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Pratima Agarwal.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest in this manuscript.

Ethical approval

Ethical approval was obtained from the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) scientific advisory committee (JSAC) and Institutional Ethical Committee (IEC No.-JIP/IECOS/2022/303) before the commencement of the study.

Ethical standards and research involving human and animal participants

The study involving human participants followed the ethical standards of the institute’s ethical and research committee and the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments.

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Richa Sharma: Professor, MS, MNAMS, FICOG, FICMCH, CIMS, FMAS; Pratima Agarwal: Chief Medical Officer, DNB, DGO, MNAMS, FICOG; Vaishali Jain: Senior Consultant & HOD, MD, FICOG; Haritha Sagili: Professor, MD, MD, FRCOG, MFSRH; Sonali Sarkar: Professor, MD; Anuradha Panda: Senior Consultant, MD, DGO, FICOG; Kruti Deliwala: Associate Professor, MD, DGO, FICOG; Krupa Shah: Associate Professor, MD.

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Sharma, R., Agarwal, P., Jain, V. et al. Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Prevalence of MTP Cases and Their Clinicodemographic Profile in India: A Retrospective Multicentric Study. J Obstet Gynecol India 73, 477–487 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13224-023-01838-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13224-023-01838-9

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