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What are people looking for when they Google "self-abortion"?
Jenna Jerman1, Tsuyoshi Onda2, Rachel K Jones1
1Guttmacher Institute in New York.
Contraception
|February 26, 2018
Summary
Online searches for self-abortion information are common among young individuals, particularly adolescents and young adults facing unintended pregnancies. Many are unaware of abortion legality, indicating a potential unmet need for accessible reproductive health information.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Internet Studies
- Public Health
Background:
- Individuals seek information on self-abortion via the internet.
- Understanding motivations and circumstances is crucial for public health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the motivations and circumstances of individuals seeking information about self-abortion on the Internet.
- To identify demographic characteristics and knowledge gaps among those searching for self-abortion information.
Main Methods:
- A survey was distributed via Google AdWords to users searching specific self-abortion-related terms.
- Data collected included demographics, reasons for search, legality knowledge, and search terms.
- The study targeted US-based users over a 32-day period.
Main Results:
- 1,235 individuals completed the survey; 96% were female, and 41% were minors.
- 73% searched due to pregnancy with unwanted outcomes; 11% had attempted self-abortion.
- One-third were unaware of abortion legality in their state.
Conclusions:
- Significant interest exists in online self-abortion information.
- Adolescents and young adults facing unintended pregnancies drive these online searches.
- There may be an unmet need for information on safe and accessible abortion options for young women.