226141 Factors affecting the timing of abortion in New York City

Monday, November 8, 2010

Kimberley Bullard , School of Natural Science, Hampshire College, Amherst, MA
Elizabeth Conlisk , School of Natural Science, Hampshire College, Amherst, MA
Marlene Fried , Civil Liberties and Public Policy Program, Hampshire College, Amherst, MA
Miriam Cremer , Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
Introduction: Second trimester abortions are associated with increased costs, medical risks, and legal restrictions. This study aims to identify modifiable factors that impact timing of abortion. Methods: Women seeking a surgical abortion were asked to complete a 22-item self-administered questionnaire at a large abortion clinic in New York City in 2009. Gestational age was determined by ultrasound. Women in the second trimester were over-sampled to increase statistical power. The final sample included 296 first trimester (≤ 12 weeks) and 174 second trimester (13-24 weeks) patients. About 25% of subjects discussed their responses in an informal interview. Analysis: Preliminary analyses indicate that second trimester abortion patients were significantly (p < 0.05) younger, less likely to have a high school diploma, less like to be married, more likely to have had a previous abortion and more likely be living outside NYC. Preference to have had the abortion earlier was expressed by both first trimester (57.6%) and second trimester (86.1%) patients. Among first trimester patients, 23.1% said nothing slowed down the timing of the procedure, compared to 1.2% of second trimester patients. The most commonly cited barriers for second trimester patients were late knowledge of pregnancy and insurance delays. Conclusion: Women's preference for earlier abortion requires improved access to services, especially those related to pregnancy testing, acquisition of insurance, and availability of second trimester providers.

Learning Areas:
Provision of health care to the public
Public health or related public policy
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Identify factors that affect the timing of abortion. List barriers to abortion services.

Keywords: Abortion, Access

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I was the Principal Investigator for this study.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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