Frances Doran1, Julie Hornibrook. 1. School of Health and Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Lismore, New South Wales, Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to identify factors that New South Wales (NSW) rural women experience in relation to their ability to access an abortion service and follow-up care. DESIGN: The qualitative responses from interviews are reported. SETTING: Rural and regional NSW. PARTICIPANTS: Staff from community based non-government Women's Health Centres across regional/rural NSW and women in rural NSW who had accessed an abortion in the preceding fifteen years. MAIN OUTCOMES: A number of barriers that NSW rural women experience in relation to their ability to access an abortion and follow-up care were identified. RESULTS: The main barrier rural women experienced was travelling relatively long distances to access an abortion clinic because of lack of services in their local area. Women with limited financial resources needed to borrow money for the procedure and associated costs of travel and accommodation. Women's Health Centres provide a range of support and referral information. Lack of integrated care was reported. CONCLUSIONS: Rural women's access to abortion services are impacted by the availability, accessibility and affordability of services and prevailing negative social attitudes. This exploratory study provides a snapshot of women's experiences of the process of seeking an abortion in rural NSW, where they are not available locally and women have to travel out of the area to access services. Findings indicate rural women experience multiple barriers in relation to their ability to access abortion services and follow-up care, which may impact on overall health outcomes.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to identify factors that New South Wales (NSW) rural women experience in relation to their ability to access an abortion service and follow-up care. DESIGN: The qualitative responses from interviews are reported. SETTING: Rural and regional NSW. PARTICIPANTS: Staff from community based non-government Women's Health Centres across regional/rural NSW and women in rural NSW who had accessed an abortion in the preceding fifteen years. MAIN OUTCOMES: A number of barriers that NSW rural women experience in relation to their ability to access an abortion and follow-up care were identified. RESULTS: The main barrier rural women experienced was travelling relatively long distances to access an abortion clinic because of lack of services in their local area. Women with limited financial resources needed to borrow money for the procedure and associated costs of travel and accommodation. Women's Health Centres provide a range of support and referral information. Lack of integrated care was reported. CONCLUSIONS: Rural women's access to abortion services are impacted by the availability, accessibility and affordability of services and prevailing negative social attitudes. This exploratory study provides a snapshot of women's experiences of the process of seeking an abortion in rural NSW, where they are not available locally and women have to travel out of the area to access services. Findings indicate rural women experience multiple barriers in relation to their ability to access abortion services and follow-up care, which may impact on overall health outcomes.
Authors: Brittany Moore; Cheri Poss; Ernestina Coast; Samantha R Lattof; Yana van der Meulen Rodgers Journal: PLoS One Date: 2021-02-18 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Aakanksha Desai; Belinda Maier; Janelle James-McAlpine; Daniel Prentice; Caroline de Costa Journal: Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol Date: 2022-03-07 Impact factor: 1.884
Authors: Ernestina Coast; Samantha R Lattof; Yana van der Meulen Rodgers; Brittany Moore; Cheri Poss Journal: PLoS One Date: 2021-06-09 Impact factor: 3.240