Medical abortion practices: a survey of National Abortion Federation members in the United States

Background

Little is known about clinical implementation of medical abortion in the United States following approval of mifepristone as an abortifacient by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2000. We collected information regarding medical abortion practices of National Abortion Federation (NAF) members for the year 2001.

Methods

Questionnaires were mailed to 337 active US NAF member facilities.

Results

A total of 258 facilities responded (77%); 252 nonhospital facilities were included in the analysis. Most of these facilities (87%) offered medical abortion in 2001, providing an estimated 28,400 medical abortions, approximately 52% of medical abortions in the US that year. Over 75% began offering mifepristone/misoprostol abortions within 5 months of the start of mifepristone distribution. Almost all (99%) reported using mifepristone/misoprostol regimens, with most offering one or more evidence-based alternative regimens (83%); a few (4%) used the FDA-approved regimen.

Conclusion

After FDA approval of mifepristone, NAF member facilities rapidly adopted evidence-based mifepristone/misoprostol regimens.     

First-trimester aspiration abortion practices: a survey of United States abortion providers

Objectives

To assess whether first-trimester aspiration abortion practices of US providers agree with evidence-based policy guidelines.

First-trimester surgical abortion practices: a survey of National Abortion Federation members

Background

Designated providers in specialized clinics perform the majority of approximately 1.1 million first-trimester abortions carried out in the United States each year. Our objective was to assess the first-trimester surgical abortion practices of National Abortion Federation (NAF) members.

Study Design

We mailed questionnaires to NAF administrators and providers at their 364 active-member facilities in 2002.

Results

Two hundred eighty-nine (79%) facilities responded; we received administrative questionnaires from 273 facilities and 293 individual clinicians. NAF facilities provided at least 325,000 first-trimester surgical abortions in the United States in 2001. The majority of providers are obstetrician-gynecologists (63%), male (62%) and at least 50 years old (64%). Half of clinicians (49%) selectively utilize manual vacuum aspiration. Almost half (47%) routinely use a metal curette to verify procedure completion; these providers are more likely to be over 50 years of age or to have 20 years or more of abortion experience. Other practices are more uniform, including routine tissue examination (93%), postoperative antibiotics (88%) and contraceptive provision (oral contraceptives, 99%; depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, 79%).

Conclusions

Most perioperative practices for first-trimester abortions are similar among these respondents, in accord with evidence-based guidelines. The aging of skilled practitioners raises concerns about the future availability of surgical abortion.     

Second-trimester surgical abortion practices: a survey of National Abortion Federation members

Background

The objective of this analysis was to assess the second-trimester surgical abortion practices of National Abortion Federation (NAF) members in North America and Australia.

Study Design

In 2002, questionnaires were mailed to 364 active member clinics of NAF for completion by their clinic administrators and individual providers.

Results

Two hundred eighty-nine (79%) clinics responded. Most NAF clinics (72%) offer second-trimester abortion services. The majority of second-trimester providers are obstetrician/gynecologists (63%), male (62%) and at least 50 years old (63%). We describe second-trimester surgical abortion practices in terms of patient eligibility, cervical ripening, ultrasound use, anesthesia and postoperative care.

Conclusions

Surgical techniques and postoperative practices for second-trimester abortions are similar among these respondents, suggesting that NAF's efforts to promulgate best practices using evidence-based guidelines are succeeding. The aging of skilled practitioners raises concerns about the future availability of second-trimester abortion.     

Changing practices and shifting meanings of female genital cutting among the Maasai of Arusha and Manyara regions of Tanzania

Abstract

Using mixed methods that combined participant observation and semi-structured in-depth interviews, this study looked at changing practices and shifting meanings of female genital cutting among the Maasai people in Tanzania. The findings suggest that an increasing social pressure to abandon female genital cutting has inspired the hiding of the practice, causing the actual cutting to become detached from its traditional ceremonial connotations. This detaching of cutting from ceremony has created a shift in meanings: the ceremony still carries the meaning of passage into adulthood, while the cutting seems to function as a way of inscribing Maasai identity into the body. The detaching of genital cutting from ceremony offers those willing to continue the practice the opportunity to do so without being prosecuted, and those unwilling to undergo or perform the practice the opportunity to evade it by faking the cutting without being socially sanctioned for it. Findings also suggest changing attitudes towards the practice among the younger generation as the result of education. Maasai culture and the practice of female genital cutting are not static but actively challenged and reinterpreted from within the community, with formally schooled and women taking up leading roles in reshaping gender norms.     

Knowledge of current abortion law and views on abortion law reform: a community survey of NSW residents

Objective: To report results of a community survey of NSW residents’ knowledge of current abortion law and views on abortion law reform. Methods: A total of 1,015 men and women participated. Recruitment and questionnaires were completed anonymously online using survey panel sampling. Results: Seventy‐six per cent of respondents were unaware that abortion remains a criminal offence in the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) and 73% thought it should be decriminalised and regulated as a healthcare service. Support for decriminalisation was consistent across genders, age groups, residents of metropolitan/regional and rural areas and levels of education. Support was strong for women seeking abortion to be protected from harassment (89%) and for protester exclusion zones around clinics (81%), with support for these measures significantly stronger among regional/rural residents than Sydney‐based respondents. Conclusions: Abortion law in NSW is out of step with contemporary community views. Residents are largely unaware that it remains a criminal offence and, when informed, support decriminalisation. There is strong support for legal changes to protect women from harassment and to provide protester exclusion zones around abortion clinics. Implications for public health: Abortion law reform would reduce current inequities of access, be democratic and support women's autonomy and reproductive rights.     

Use of medications to decrease bleeding during surgical abortion: a survey of abortion providers' practices in the United States

Objective

Our objective was to document current practices of abortion providers on the use of medications to decrease bleeding during surgical abortion.

Abortion barriers and perceptions of gestational age among women seeking abortion care in the latter half of the second trimester

Objective

Later second-trimester abortion (gestational age ≥ 19 weeks) is higher risk, more expensive and more difficult to access than abortion earlier in pregnancy. We sought to enumerate barriers to care described by women seeking abortion in the latter half of the second trimester. We also assessed the accuracy of later second-trimester abortion patients’ perceptions of their pregnancies’ gestational ages.

Study Design

A retrospective analysis of data from 232 women served by a referral program for women seeking abortion care between 19 and 24 weeks of gestational age was performed. Data collected included demographics, pregnancy history, gestational age by ultrasound, perceived gestational age, barriers to abortion care experienced and time lapsed from pregnancy recognition to presentation for care.

Results

Difficulty deciding whether to terminate (44.8%), financial barriers to care (22.0%) and the patient having recently realized she was pregnant (21.6%) were the most common delaying barriers cited. Nearly half (46.6%) of women underestimated their own gestational ages by greater than 4 weeks. Risk factors for experiencing at least 3 months time lapsed from pregnancy recognition to program referral included difficulty deciding whether to terminate [odds ratio (OR) 4.08, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.51–8.70] and nonwhite race/ethnicity (OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.16–3.57).

Conclusions

Women seeking abortion care in the latter half of the second trimester encounter many of the same barriers previously identified among other abortion patient populations. Because many risk factors for delayed presentation for care are not amenable to intervention, abortion must remain available later in the second trimester.

Implications

Women presenting for abortion in the later second trimester are delayed by structural and individual-level barriers, and many substantially underestimate their own gestational age. Removing financial barriers may help reduce abortion delay; however, many risk factors are nonmodifiable, underscoring the need to ensure access to later second-trimester abortion.     

长沙市女性人工流产及避孕现状调查

目的了解女性人工流产状况、避孕现状及其影响因素,为合理采用避孕措施、提高女性生殖健康水平提供参考依据。方法对在长沙市妇幼保健院行人工流产术的3 260例妇女进行问卷调查,其中合格问卷3 056份。收集调查对象的婚育史、流产史、获得避孕节育知识的途径、避孕方法的使用、避孕知识掌握情况、意外妊娠原因等情况,进行统计分析,并提出应对措施。结果未婚人工流产1 449例(47.41%),已婚人工流产1 607例(52.59%);避孕失败2 177例(71.24%),其中采用避孕套失败的653例(21.37%),未采取避孕措施879例(28.76%);两次以上的重复人工流产2 067例(67.64%)。多因素分析结果显示:受教育程度、经济水平和避孕知识掌握情况为重复人工流产的危险因素(P0.05)。结论避孕失败是人工流产的主要因素,未婚女性所占比例与已婚女性相近;应对未婚女性施以正确、专业的生殖健康和避孕知识教育;受教育程度、经济水平和避孕知识掌握情况对重复人工流产具有影响。     

广州市不同户籍育龄妇女人工流产状况及影响因素分析

目的：了解广州市不同户籍育龄妇女人工流产现状并探讨其影响因素.方法：采用随机整群抽样方法,对1 003名流动育龄妇女和365名户籍育龄妇女进行匿名问卷调查.结果：流动育龄妇女的人工流产率及重复流产率（41.58％、36.45％）均高于户籍育龄妇女（28.77％、21.80％）,且初次人工流产年龄偏低;流动妇女、户籍妇女在人工流产地点选择亦有不同,去省市级医院的比例分别为36.69％和56.19％,去私人诊所的比例分别为6.47％和0.95％;但两组对象在流产原因和术后获得服务方面相似.多元logistic回归分析发现,年龄为21 ～40岁、已婚、外地户籍均为育龄妇女人工流产的危险因素,而文化程度较高和每年体检次数1次则为保护因素.结论：育龄妇女人工流产率较高,应对这一重点人群有针对性地开展避孕知识的宣传教育以降低人工流产率.     

Acceptance and use of the female condom among women with incomplete abortion in rural Tanzania

BACKGROUND: This study describes the outcome of a postabortion care intervention aimed at introducing the female condom as a means of preventing women from having unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs)/HIV. METHODS: Postabortion contraceptive counseling and services were offered to 548 women admitted to the Kagera Regional Hospital for incomplete abortion. The counseling included information about STI/HIV and the use male or female condom. In total, 521 (95%) women accepted contraception. RESULTS: Contraceptive use was assessed 3 months after abortion among 475 (91%) women. The female condom was accepted by 201 of 521 (39%) and was used by 158 of 521 (30%). Women who had experienced an unsafe abortion, had attended secondary school or earned an income were more likely to accept the female condom. The women were generally satisfied with the method, and the majority intended to use it again. CONCLUSION: Postabortion care programs provide an excellent entry point for introducing the female condom as a contraceptive method for the prevention of both repeat unwanted pregnancies and STI/HIV infection.     

A pilot study of mifepristone and misoprostol administered at the same time for abortion in women with gestation from 50 to 63 days

INTRODUCTION: In the interest of decreasing the amount of time it takes to achieve a medical abortion, we performed a pilot study to evaluate the simultaneous administration of mifepristone and vaginal misoprostol for women with gestation from 50 to 63 days. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty women were enrolled with undesired pregnancies from 50 to 56 days' gestation (group 1) and 40 from 57 to 63 days' gestation (group 2). All women used misoprostol 800 mug vaginally immediately after having swallowed the 200 mg mifepristone tablet. Follow-up evaluations with transvaginal ultrasonography occurred at 24 h and 2 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: The 24-h expulsion rates were 88% (95% CI, 77-98) and 83% (95% CI, 7-94) in groups 1 and 2, respectively. The complete abortion rates at 2 weeks were 93% (95% CI, 84-100) and 90% (95% CI, 81-99), respectively. DISCUSSION: Simultaneous administration of oral mifepristone and vaginal misoprostol provides 24-h expulsion rates in women with gestation from 50 to 63 days, comparable to those reported in the medical literature for standard treatment regimens. Further study of this regimen in a large randomized trial is warranted.     

Access,equity and costs of induced abortion services in Australia: a cross‐sectional study

Objectives: To examine access and equity to induced abortion services in Australia, including factors associated with presenting beyond nine weeks gestation. Methods: Cross‐sectional survey of 2,326 women aged 16+ years attending for an abortion at 14 Dr Marie clinics. Associations with later presentation assessed using multivariate logistic regression. Results: Over a third of eligible women opted for a medical abortion. More than one in 10 (11.2%) stayed overnight. The median Medicare rebated upfront cost of a medical abortion was $560, compared to $470 for a surgical abortion at ≤9 weeks. Beyond 12 weeks, costs rose considerably. More than two‐thirds (68.1%) received financial assistance from one or more sources. Women who travelled ≥4 hours (AdjOR: 3.0, 95%CI 1.2–7.3), had no prior knowledge of the medical option (AdjOR: 2.1, 95%CI 1.4–3.1), had difficulty paying (AdjOR: 1.5, 95%CI 1.2–1.9) and identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (AdjOR: 2.1, 95%CI 1.2–3.4) were more likely to present ≥9 weeks. Conclusions: Abortion costs are substantial, increase at later gestations, and are a financial strain for many women. Poor knowledge, geographical and financial barriers restrict method choice. Implications for public health: Policy reform should focus on reducing costs and enhancing early access.     

依托咪酯与异丙酚分别复合芬太尼在人工流产术中的应用对比

目的 观察对比依托咪酯复合芬太尼和异丙酚复合芬太尼在人工流产术中的疗效,寻求更为安全有效的人工流产术静脉麻醉方法。方法对2010年5月1号～2010年5月31号在笔者所在医院进行人T流产术的120例早孕妇女,随机分组并分别予静脉注射依托咪酯或异丙酚复合芬太尼进行静脉麻醉,观察麻醉效果、并发症、宫口松弛情况及出血量等指标;对术中呼吸、心率、血压、静脉注射时是否有注射痛、肌颤、血氧饱和度、术后呕吐、苏醒时间等指数进行分析对比。结果两组病例给药前后呼吸、心率、血压、血氧饱和度的差值以及两组病例的注射痛、肌颤发生率有显著差异（P〈0．01）。麻醉效果及离院时间无明显差异（P〉0．05）。结论依托咪酯麻醉效果确切,无注射痛,并对血压、呼吸影响较小。对伴有心血管疾病或呼吸系统疾病的患者可能更具有优越性。     

异丙酚联合芬太尼在人工流产手术中的应用

目的 :观察早孕妇女应用异丙酚、芬太尼行无痛人工流产的疗效。方法 :选择自愿终止妊娠的早孕妇女 80例 ,随机分 2组 ,于人工流产前静脉注射芬太尼及异丙酚 ,观察并与对照组比较术中扩宫的难易程度、手术时间及手术并发症。结果 :人工流产前静脉注射芬太尼、异丙酚有明显镇静及镇痛作用 (P <0 .0 1)。它可使宫颈变软 ,易于扩张 ,手术时间明显缩短 (P <0 .0 1) ,减少人工流产并发症 (P <0 .0 1)。结论 :人工流产术前静脉注射芬太尼、异丙酚 ,可起到良好的镇痛作用 ,有效提高手术质量 ,减少患者痛苦及手术并发症     

药物流产与人工流产对未婚非意愿妊娠女性焦虑、抑郁情绪的影响对比研究

目的 探究对比药物流产与人工流产对未婚非意愿妊娠女性焦虑、抑郁情绪的影响.方法 选择2014年12月至2016年12月于交通大学第一附属医院接受流产的120例非意愿妊娠女性,根据患者自身意愿分为两组,即观察组60例,给予无痛人工流产,对照组60例给予药物流产,对比两组临床效果,且于流产前后评估焦虑、抑郁状况.结果 观察组完全流产率为96.67％,显著高于对照组90.00％(x2 =8.928,P＜0.05),且观察组出血量、出血天数、腹痛持续时间均显著低于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(t值分别为7.293、8.821、10.820,均P＜0.05).观察组中不良反应发生率为10.00％,对照组中不良反应发生率为18.33％,两组对比具有统计学差异(x2=7.690,P＜0.05).观察组焦虑情绪发生率为23.33％,抑郁情绪发生率为21.67％,均显著低于对照组的31.67％和35.00％,具有统计学差异(x2值分别为7.312、6.992,均P＜0.05).观察组疼痛程度显著低于对照组(x2=9.829,P＜0.05).结论 给予未婚非意愿妊娠女性无痛人工流产,能够有效改善患者焦虑、抑郁情绪,降低流产疼痛感,控制不良反应发生,效果显著,值得临床推广采用.     

地佐辛复合丙泊酚用于无痛人工流产术的最佳剂量探讨

目的探讨地佐辛复合丙泊酚用于无痛人工流产术（人流术）的临床效果、合适剂量及其安全性。方法按入室顺序随机将200例ASAI或Ⅱ级自愿接受门诊无痛人工流产手术的宫内妊娠患者均分为A、B、C、D4组（n=50）,A、B、C组分别静脉注射地佐辛0．10、0．15、0．20mg／kg,D组静脉注射芬太尼1．5μg/kg;3min后4组均缓慢静脉注射1％丙泊酚。观察比较各组麻醉诱导前（T0）、睫毛反射消失时（T1）、苏醒时（T2）和苏醒后10min（T3）的MAP、HR、RR、SpO2;麻醉诱导时间、麻醉苏醒时间、定向力恢复时间;丙泊酚诱导用量及总用量;术中、术后镇痛效果及不良反应。结果A、D组T1时MAP、HR、RR、SpO2均较该组T0时下降（P〈0．05）;B组T1时MAP、HR较Tn时下降（P〈0．05）;B、C组麻醉苏醒时间和定向力恢复时间均短于A、D组（P〈0．05）,A、D组组间比较差异有统计学意义,B、C组组间比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;丙泊酚诱导剂量及总用量C组〈B组〈D组〈A组,组间比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。B、C组术中镇痛效果及术后疼痛评分分级和术中体动反应发生率与A、D组比较差异均有统计学意义,B、C组间比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;B、C组术中呼吸抑制和术后恶心、呕吐等不良反应发生率均低于A、D组（P〈0．05）,且B组低于C组。结论地佐辛复合丙泊酚用于无痛人流术镇痛效果确切,呼吸抑制、恶心呕吐等不良反应少,安全性好,0．15mg／kg是最佳剂量。     

Pathways to unsafe abortion in Ghana: the role of male partners,women and health care providers

Background

Despite abortion being legal, complications from induced abortion are the second leading cause of maternal mortality in Ghana. The objective of this study was to understand the decision-making process associated with induced abortion in Ghana.

Study Design

Data were collected from female postabortion patients, male partners, family planning nurses and obstetricians/gynecologists at two teaching hospitals in Ghana using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions.

Results

While experiences differ for married and single women, men are involved in abortion decision making directly, through “orders” to abort, or indirectly, through denying responsibility for the pregnancy. Health care providers can be barriers to seeking safe abortions in this setting.

Conclusions

Women who choose to terminate a pregnancy without their male partners' knowledge should have the means (both financial and social) to do so safely. Interventions with health care providers should discourage judgemental attitudes and emphasize individually focused patient care.     

Estimating the costs of the vaccine supply chain and service delivery for selected districts in Kenya and Tanzania

Having data on the costs of the immunization system can provide decision-makers with information to benchmark the costs when evaluating the impact of new technologies or programmatic innovations. This paper estimated the supply chain and immunization service delivery costs and cost per dose in selected districts in Kenya and Tanzania. We also present operational data describing the supply chain and service delivery points (SDPs).To estimate the supply chain costs, we collected resource-use data for the cold chain, distribution system, and health worker time and per diems paid. We also estimated the service delivery costs, which included the time cost of health workers to provide immunization services, and per diems and transport costs for outreach sessions. Data on the annual quantities of vaccines distributed to each facility, and the occurrence and duration of stockouts were collected from stock registers. These data were collected from the national store, 2 regional and 4 district stores, and 12 SDPs in each country for 2012. Cost per dose for the supply chain and immunization service delivery were estimated.The average annual costs per dose at the SDPs were $0.34 (standard deviation (s.d.) $0.18) for Kenya when including only the vaccine supply chain costs, and $1.33 (s.d. $0.82) when including immunization service delivery costs. In Tanzania, these costs were $0.67 (s.d. $0.35) and $2.82 (s.d. $1.64), respectively. Both countries experienced vaccine stockouts in 2012, bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine being more likely to be stocked out in Kenya, and oral poliovirus vaccine in Tanzania. When stockouts happened, they usually lasted for at least one month.Tanzania made investments in 2011 in preparation for planned vaccine introductions, and their supply chain cost per dose is expected to decline with the new vaccine introductions. Immunization service delivery costs are a significant portion of the total costs at the SDPs.