Sharon T Cameron1, Anna Glasier. 1. Chalmers Sexual and Reproductive Health Centre, EH3 9ES Edinburgh, United Kingdom. sharon.cameron@ed.ac.uk
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: In order to better identify those women requesting abortion who are not certain of their decision and would like more detailed discussion, we piloted use of a self-completed validated questionnaire containing the London Measure of Unintended Pregnancy (LMUP) amongst women requesting an abortion at a hospital clinic in Scotland. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective case note review was conducted to determine the proportion for whom the pregnancy was clearly unintended (based on LMUP score), the proportion who were certain of their decision and the eventual outcome of the pregnancy. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-one women with a viable pregnancy completed a questionnaire. Based on the LMUP score, the pregnancy was clearly unintended in 165 (86%) cases; 162 of these (98%) proceeded to abortion. One hundred and seventy-three women (91%) stated that they were certain of the decision to have an abortion, 167 of them (97%) proceeded to abortion, and 153 women (89%) did not want any further discussion. Thirteen women (6.8%; 95% confidence interval: 4.0-11.3) continued the pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Almost all women requesting an induced abortion had a clearly unintended pregnancy, were certain of their decision and did not wish further counseling. A simple self-completed questionnaire identifies those who may benefit from further discussion. Subjecting women to compulsory counseling about their decision to have an abortion is in conflict with their wishes and wastes resources.
INTRODUCTION: In order to better identify those women requesting abortion who are not certain of their decision and would like more detailed discussion, we piloted use of a self-completed validated questionnaire containing the London Measure of Unintended Pregnancy (LMUP) amongst women requesting an abortion at a hospital clinic in Scotland. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective case note review was conducted to determine the proportion for whom the pregnancy was clearly unintended (based on LMUP score), the proportion who were certain of their decision and the eventual outcome of the pregnancy. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-one women with a viable pregnancy completed a questionnaire. Based on the LMUP score, the pregnancy was clearly unintended in 165 (86%) cases; 162 of these (98%) proceeded to abortion. One hundred and seventy-three women (91%) stated that they were certain of the decision to have an abortion, 167 of them (97%) proceeded to abortion, and 153 women (89%) did not want any further discussion. Thirteen women (6.8%; 95% confidence interval: 4.0-11.3) continued the pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Almost all women requesting an induced abortion had a clearly unintended pregnancy, were certain of their decision and did not wish further counseling. A simple self-completed questionnaire identifies those who may benefit from further discussion. Subjecting women to compulsory counseling about their decision to have an abortion is in conflict with their wishes and wastes resources.
Authors: Sharon T Cameron; Anna Glasier; Lisa McDaid; Andrew Radley; Susan Patterson; Paula Baraitser; Judith Stephenson; Richard Gilson; Claire Battison; Kathleen Cowle; Thenmalar Vadiveloo; Anne Johnstone; Alessandra Morelli; Beatriz Goulao; Mark Forrest; Alison McDonald; John Norrie Journal: Health Technol Assess Date: 2021-05 Impact factor: 4.014
Authors: Kaye Wellings; Kyle G Jones; Catherine H Mercer; Clare Tanton; Soazig Clifton; Jessica Datta; Andrew J Copas; Bob Erens; Lorna J Gibson; Wendy Macdowall; Pam Sonnenberg; Andrew Phelps; Anne M Johnson Journal: Lancet Date: 2013-11-26 Impact factor: 79.321
Authors: Sharon Tracey Cameron; Paula Baraitser; Anna Glasier; Lisa McDaid; John Norrie; Andrew Radley; Judith M Stephenson; James Trussell; Claire Battison; Sarah Cameron; Kathleen Cowle; Mark Forrest; Richard Gilson; Beatriz Goulao; Anne Johnstone; Alison McDonald; Alessandra Morelli; Susan Patterson; Deirdre Sally; Nicola Stewart Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2019-10-30 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Sharon T Cameron; Anna Glasier; Lisa McDaid; Andrew Radley; Paula Baraitser; Judith Stephenson; Richard Gilson; Claire Battison; Kathleen Cowle; Mark Forrest; Beatriz Goulao; Anne Johnstone; Alessandra Morelli; Susan Patterson; Alison McDonald; Thenmalar Vadiveloo; John Norrie Journal: Lancet Date: 2020-11-14 Impact factor: 202.731