We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Choice of Satisfaction with Methods of Medical And Surgical Abortion Among U.S. Clinic Patients.
- Authors
Harvey, S. Marie; Beckman, Linda J.; Satre, Sarah J.
- Abstract
Context: Abortion induced by drugs is now a viable alternative to surgically induced abortion for U.S. women. Women's willingness to use these new methods of medical abortion hinges on the extent to which they prove acceptable, however. Methods: Among 304 women participating in a clinical trial of medical abortion, 186 received a methotrexate-induced abortion and 118 were offered the option of a medical abortion but chose a surgical procedure instead. Study participants completed self-administered questionnaires before the abortion and again at a follow-up visit. Results: Women in the medical and surgical abortion groups did not differ signicantly with regard to demographic and other background characteristics: Their mean age was about 27, more than two-thirds were white, and three-quarters were unmarried and worked either part-time or full-time. However, women's ratings of seven attributes of abortion methods were signi cant predictors of choosing a medical abortion: Women were more likely to choose medical abortion if they placed greater importance on a method that was nonsurgical, one that resembled a miscarriage or one that could take place at home (odds ratios, 2.0 3.3). Conversely, women were less likely to choose medical abortion if they valued methods that were quick, that did not involve painful cramping or seeing blood or blood clots and that needed a doctor or nurse to be present (odds ratios, 0.3 0.5). Compared with those who had a surgical abortion, women who had a methotrexate-induced abortion expected more bleeding (mean scores, 3.5 vs. 3.1) and reported more pain (3.4 vs. 2.9), heavier bleeding (3.4 vs. 2.5) and bleeding of longer duration (3.3 vs. 2.6). The overwhelming majority of women in the medical and surgical abortion groups reported that they were either very or somewhat satis ed with their abortion method (81% and 82%, respectively), would recommend it to others (82% and 78%) and would choose the method again (89% and 93%). Con...
- Subjects
UNITED States; ABORTION; AMERICAN women; CLINICAL trials; MISCARRIAGE; SURGERY
- Publication
Family Planning Perspectives, 2001, Vol 33, Issue 5, p212
- ISSN
0014-7354
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.2307/2673784