Rachel Perry1, Molly Murphy2, Kristin M Rankin2, Allison Cowett3, Bryna Harwood3. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois. Electronic address: rachel.perry@uci.edu. 2. Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, School of Public Health, Chicago, Illinois. 3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: We aimed to explore current practices regarding screening for rape and response to disclosure of rape-related pregnancy in the abortion care setting. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional, nonprobability survey of U.S. abortion providers. Individuals were recruited in person and via emailed invitations to professional organization member lists. Questions in this web-based survey pertained to providers' practice setting, how they identify rape-related pregnancy, the availability of support services, and their experiences with law enforcement. Providers were asked their perceptions of barriers to care for women who report rape-related pregnancy. RESULTS: Surveys were completed by 279 providers (21% response rate). Most respondents were female (93.1%), and the majority were physicians in a clinical role (69.4%). One-half (49.8%) reported their practice screens for pregnancy resulting from rape, although fewer (34.8%) reported that screening is the method through which most patients with this history are identified. Most (80.6%) refer women with rape-related pregnancy to support services such as rape crisis centers. Relatively few (19.7%) have a specific protocol for care of women who report rape-related pregnancy. Clinics that screen were 79% more likely to have a protocol for care than centers that do not screen. Although the majority (67.4%) reported barriers to identification of women with rape-related pregnancy, fewer (33.3%) reported barriers to connecting them to support services. CONCLUSION: Practices for identifying and providing care to women with rape-related pregnancy in the abortion care setting are variable. Further research should address barriers to care provision, as well as identifying protocols for care.
OBJECTIVE: We aimed to explore current practices regarding screening for rape and response to disclosure of rape-related pregnancy in the abortion care setting. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional, nonprobability survey of U.S. abortion providers. Individuals were recruited in person and via emailed invitations to professional organization member lists. Questions in this web-based survey pertained to providers' practice setting, how they identify rape-related pregnancy, the availability of support services, and their experiences with law enforcement. Providers were asked their perceptions of barriers to care for women who report rape-related pregnancy. RESULTS: Surveys were completed by 279 providers (21% response rate). Most respondents were female (93.1%), and the majority were physicians in a clinical role (69.4%). One-half (49.8%) reported their practice screens for pregnancy resulting from rape, although fewer (34.8%) reported that screening is the method through which most patients with this history are identified. Most (80.6%) refer women with rape-related pregnancy to support services such as rape crisis centers. Relatively few (19.7%) have a specific protocol for care of women who report rape-related pregnancy. Clinics that screen were 79% more likely to have a protocol for care than centers that do not screen. Although the majority (67.4%) reported barriers to identification of women with rape-related pregnancy, fewer (33.3%) reported barriers to connecting them to support services. CONCLUSION: Practices for identifying and providing care to women with rape-related pregnancy in the abortion care setting are variable. Further research should address barriers to care provision, as well as identifying protocols for care.
Authors: Lidia Perenc; Justyna Podgórska-Bednarz; Agnieszka Guzik; Mariusz Drużbicki Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-05-12 Impact factor: 4.614