Prevalence, attitudes and knowledge of misoprostol for self-induction of abortion in women presenting for abortion at Midwestern reproductive health clinics

Courtney Kerestes; Kelsey Sheets; Colleen K Stockdale; Abbey J Hardy-Fairbanks

doi:10.1080/09688080.2019.1571311

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Prevalence, attitudes and knowledge of misoprostol for self-induction of abortion in women presenting for abortion at Midwestern reproductive health clinics

Journal article

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Peer reviewed

Prevalence, attitudes and knowledge of misoprostol for self-induction of abortion in women presenting for abortion at Midwestern reproductive health clinics

Courtney Kerestes, Kelsey Sheets, Colleen K Stockdale and Abbey J Hardy-Fairbanks

Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters, Vol.27(1), pp.118-125

01/01/2019

DOI: 10.1080/09688080.2019.1571311

PMCID: PMC7887767

PMID: 31533561

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Abstract

In the setting of increasing restrictions to legal abortion in the United States, reports have emerged of self-induced termination of pregnancies with misoprostol, obtained without a prescription or provider. This study seeks to describe the prevalence of women seeking or employing misoprostol for self-induced abortion, and how they access information. In a cross-sectional study of women immediately following their abortion at three reproductive health clinics in the Midwestern United States, an anonymous survey queried gestational age, barriers, online investigation about self-induction and opinions concerning the availability of medical abortion. From June to September 2016, 276 women participated out of 437 presenting to the clinics during the study period. One hundred and ninety-one (74.6%) women had investigated abortion options online, and of those, 58 (30.9%) investigated misoprostol online, for home use. Women who investigated online options were less likely to have had a prior abortion than those who did not investigate online (29.3% vs. 63.1%, p < .01). They were also more likely to report prior home attempts to end this pregnancy (8.6% vs. 0%, p = .05). Overall, four (1.6%) of the respondents purchased misoprostol and three (1.2%) used it. A majority of women seeking an abortion sought online information prior to their clinic appointment, and almost a third of those had investigated misoprostol for home use. Women are accessing information regarding misoprostol for self-induction of abortion on the Internet. As barriers to legal abortion increase, women may be more likely to self-induce abortion.

self-sourced abortion

barriers

misoprostol

Self-induced abortion

medical abortion

Internet

over-the-counter abortion

Details

Title: Subtitle: Prevalence, attitudes and knowledge of misoprostol for self-induction of abortion in women presenting for abortion at Midwestern reproductive health clinics
Creators: Courtney Kerestes - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Kelsey Sheets - University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
Colleen K Stockdale - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Abbey J Hardy-Fairbanks - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters, Vol.27(1), pp.118-125
DOI: 10.1080/09688080.2019.1571311
PMID: 31533561
PMCID: PMC7887767
NLM abbreviation: Sex Reprod Health Matters
ISSN: 2641-0397
eISSN: 2641-0397
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Language: English
Date published: 01/01/2019
Academic Unit: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Record Identifier: 9983930898102771

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