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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Rita J. Lourie, MSN, RN, Department of Nursing, Temple University, 3307 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140, 215-707-4872, rlourie@vm.temple.edu and Amy B. Jessop, PhD, MPH, Department of Health Studies, Temple University, 304 Vivacqua Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19122.
The decision to have an abortion is complex. Access to services are complicated by legal mandates, lack of third party reimbursement, travel concerns, lack of support, harassment and fear. A woman’s medical fund that provides vouchers to women unable to meet the costs of an abortion was concerned about the status and outcomes of the 25% of women who receive a voucher but do not redeem it with the abortion provider. Ninety-six (96) women who had not redeemed the vouchers were interviewed by telephone and queried as to their decision making process, the obstacles they confronted, family support, financial struggles, and outcomes. Data from the women’s medical fund including age, ethnicity, amount of loan, loan gap, gestational age, number of children, were factored into the analysis. Fifty-six percent (56%) of the women interviewed had actually proceeded with the abortion. Both quantitative and qualitative data will be presented including a comparison of those women who terminated the pregnancy and those who carried the pregnancy to term. The report has implications for loan funds as well as for abortion counselors.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session the participant will
Keywords: Abortion, Access to Health Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Philadelphia Women's Medical Fund
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.