Barriers to Abortion Care and Their Consequences For Patients Traveling for Services: Qualitative Findings from Two States : Barriers to Abortion Care and Their Consequences For Patients Traveling for Services: Qualitative Findings from Two States
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Abstract
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<h5 class="section-title" id="d14089367e119">CONTEXT</h5>
<p id="P1">Abortion availability and accessibility vary by state. Especially in areas
where services
are restricted or limited, some women travel to obtain abortion services in other
states. Little is known about the experience of travel to obtain abortion.
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<h5 class="section-title" id="d14089367e124">METHODS</h5>
<p id="P2">In January and February 2015, in-depth interviews were conducted with 29
patients
seeking abortion services at six facilities in Michigan and New Mexico. Eligible women
were 18 or older, spoke English, and had traveled either across state lines or more
than 100 miles within the state. Respondents were asked to describe their experience
from pregnancy discovery to the day of the abortion procedure. Barriers to accessing
abortion care and consequences of these barriers were identified through inductive
and deductive analysis.
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<h5 class="section-title" id="d14089367e129">RESULTS</h5>
<p id="P3">Respondents described 15 barriers to abortion care while traveling to obtain
services,
and three major consequences of experiencing those barriers. Barriers were grouped
into five categories: travel-related logistical issues, system navigation issues,
limited clinic options, financial issues, and state or clinic restrictions. Consequences
were delays in care, negative mental health impacts and considering self-induction.
The experience of barriers complicated the process of obtaining an abortion, but the
effect of any individual barrier was unclear. Instead, the experience of multiple
barriers appeared to have a compounding effect, resulting in negative consequences
for women traveling for abortion.
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<h5 class="section-title" id="d14089367e134">CONCLUSION</h5>
<p id="P4">The amalgamation of barriers to abortion care experienced simultaneously
can have
significant consequences for patients.
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The idea that abortion leads to adverse psychological outcomes has been the basis for legislation mandating counseling before obtaining an abortion and other policies to restrict access to abortion.
We examined the factors influencing delay in seeking abortion and the outcomes for women denied abortion care because of gestational age limits at abortion facilities.
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