Cashman Colette, Downing Sandra G, Russell Darren
College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Cairns, Qld, Australia; and Corresponding author. Email:
College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Cairns, Qld, Australia.
Sex Health. 2021 Jul;18(3):232-238. doi: 10.1071/SH20220.
Background An estimated 25% of Australian women will undergo induced abortion. Few studies have explored Australian women's experiences of accessing medical termination of pregnancy (MToP). This study explored the experiences of women accessing MToP through a regional sexual health service in North Queensland. It aimed to determine the aspects of the process from seeking information about abortion to completion that worked well and to identify areas for improvement.
Semi-structured telephone interviews with 11 women who accessed MTOP at Cairns Sexual Health Service (CSHS) were conducted. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. A deductive analysis approach was used to analyse the data.
Most women had little prior knowledge of MToP or access options and used the Internet to source information. Accessing MToP through a sexual health service was considered positive, non-judgemental, discrete and low-cost despite challenges of fitting in with appointment times and obtaining off-site ultrasound. GPs did not always provide referral; some women described experiences of stigma, discrimination and judgemental care during consultation and when obtaining ultrasounds. Concern for women living in more rural/remote areas was raised. Potential solutions including increased provision through rural general practitioners (GPs) and telehealth.
Our study highlights the need for greater awareness of abortion options and access points among the community and healthcare providers. Access through sexual health clinics in regional settings is accepted; however, other options such as increased provision through rural GPs, primary health clinics, telehealth and nurse-led models of care could help overcome some of the barriers faced by rural and remote women.
背景 据估计，25%的澳大利亚女性会接受人工流产。很少有研究探讨澳大利亚女性获取药物终止妊娠（MToP）的经历。本研究探讨了通过北昆士兰地区性健康服务机构获取MToP的女性的经历。其目的是确定从寻求堕胎信息到完成堕胎这一过程中运作良好的方面，并找出需要改进的领域。
对11名在凯恩斯性健康服务中心（CSHS）接受MToP的女性进行了半结构化电话访谈。访谈进行了录音并逐字转录。采用演绎分析方法对数据进行分析。
大多数女性此前对MToP或获取途径了解甚少，她们通过互联网获取信息。尽管在安排预约时间和进行院外超声检查方面存在困难，但通过性健康服务机构获取MToP被认为是积极的、无偏见的、隐秘的且成本低廉的。全科医生并非总是提供转诊；一些女性描述了在咨询和进行超声检查时遭受污名化、歧视和有偏见的护理的经历。人们对生活在更偏远农村地区的女性表示担忧。潜在的解决方案包括增加农村全科医生（GP）的服务提供以及远程医疗服务。
我们的研究强调社区和医疗服务提供者需要提高对堕胎选择和获取途径的认识。在地区环境中通过性健康诊所获取服务是被认可的；然而，其他选择，如增加农村全科医生、初级保健诊所、远程医疗和护士主导的护理模式的服务提供，可能有助于克服农村和偏远地区女性面临的一些障碍。
