Sarah C M Roberts1, Corinne H Rocca2, Diana Greene Foster2. 1. Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH), University of California, San Francisco, Oakland, CA 94612, United States. Electronic address: robertss@obgyn.ucsf.edu. 2. Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH), University of California, San Francisco, Oakland, CA 94612, United States.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Some research finds that women receiving abortions are at increased risk of subsequent drug use and drug use disorders. This literature is rife with methodological problems, particularly inappropriate comparison groups. METHODS: This study used data from the Turnaway Study, a prospective, longitudinal study of women who sought abortions at 30 sites across the U.S. Participants included women presenting just prior to an abortion facility's gestational age limit who received abortions (Near Limit Abortion Group, n=452), just beyond the gestational limit who were denied abortions (Turnaways, n=231), and who received first trimester abortions (First Trimester Abortion Group, n=273). This study examined the relationship between receiving versus being denied an abortion and subsequent drug use over two years. Trajectories of drug use were compared using multivariate mixed effects regression. RESULTS: Any drug use, frequency of drug use, and marijuana use did not change over time among women in any group. There were no differential changes over time in any drug use, frequency of drug use, or marijuana use between groups. However, Turnaways who ultimately gave birth increased use of drugs other than marijuana compared to women in the Near Limit Abortion Group (p=.041), who did not increase use. CONCLUSION: Women receiving abortions did not increase drug use over two years or have higher levels of drug use than women denied abortions. Assertions that abortion leads women to use drugs to cope with the stress of abortion are not supported.
BACKGROUND: Some research finds that women receiving abortions are at increased risk of subsequent drug use and drug use disorders. This literature is rife with methodological problems, particularly inappropriate comparison groups. METHODS: This study used data from the Turnaway Study, a prospective, longitudinal study of women who sought abortions at 30 sites across the U.S. Participants included women presenting just prior to an abortion facility's gestational age limit who received abortions (Near Limit Abortion Group, n=452), just beyond the gestational limit who were denied abortions (Turnaways, n=231), and who received first trimester abortions (First Trimester Abortion Group, n=273). This study examined the relationship between receiving versus being denied an abortion and subsequent drug use over two years. Trajectories of drug use were compared using multivariate mixed effects regression. RESULTS: Any drug use, frequency of drug use, and marijuana use did not change over time among women in any group. There were no differential changes over time in any drug use, frequency of drug use, or marijuana use between groups. However, Turnaways who ultimately gave birth increased use of drugs other than marijuana compared to women in the Near Limit Abortion Group (p=.041), who did not increase use. CONCLUSION:Women receiving abortions did not increase drug use over two years or have higher levels of drug use than women denied abortions. Assertions that abortion leads women to use drugs to cope with the stress of abortion are not supported.
Authors: Sarah Cm Roberts; M Antonia Biggs; Karuna S Chibber; Heather Gould; Corinne H Rocca; Diana Greene Foster Journal: BMC Med Date: 2014-09-29 Impact factor: 8.775
Authors: Corinne H Rocca; Katrina Kimport; Sarah C M Roberts; Heather Gould; John Neuhaus; Diana G Foster Journal: PLoS One Date: 2015-07-08 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Laura F Harris; Sarah C M Roberts; M Antonia Biggs; Corinne H Rocca; Diana Greene Foster Journal: BMC Womens Health Date: 2014-06-19 Impact factor: 2.809