Exploring provider preference and provision of abortion methods and stigma: secondary analysis of a United Kingdom provider survey

Footman, Katy, Bright, Suzanna, Kavanagh, Jayne, Parnham, Emma, Bury, Louise and Hoggart, Lesley (2024) Exploring provider preference and provision of abortion methods and stigma: secondary analysis of a United Kingdom provider survey. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 56 (1). 50 - 59. ISSN 1931-2393

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Abstract

Introduction: Method choice is an important component of quality abortion care and qualitative research suggests that abortion stigma can influence provider preference and provision of abortion methods. This study is the first to explore the relationships between abortion providers' method preferences, their provision of medication or instrumentation abortion or both methods, and abortion stigma. Methods: We conducted secondary analysis of a survey of United Kingdom (UK) abortion providers (N = 172) to describe and compare providers' self-reported method preferences and provision. We used multinomial logistic regression to assess the association between method preference and provider experiences of abortion stigma (measured using a revised Abortion Provider Stigma Scale (APSS)), adjusting for relevant provider and facility characteristics. Results: Almost half (52%) of providers reported that they only provided medication abortion care, while 5% only provided instrumentation abortion care and 43% provided both methods. Most (62%) preferred to provide both methods while 32% preferred to provide only medication abortion and 6% only instrumentation abortion. There was no significant difference in revised APSS scores by provider method preference or provision. Discussion: Most surveyed UK abortion providers prefer to offer both methods, but over half only provide medication abortion. This may reflect patients' preferences for medication abortion, and health system and legal constraints on instrumentation abortion. Addressing these systemic constraints on method provision could expand patient choice. Providers' method preference was not significantly associated with provider stigma but future research should consider the influence of structural stigma on method provision at the health system level.

Item Type:	Article
Official URL:	https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/19312393
Additional Information:	© 2024 The Authors
Divisions:	Social Policy
Subjects:	R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine H Social Sciences
Date Deposited:	21 Feb 2024 10:39
Last Modified:	15 Nov 2024 03:30
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/122082

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