Prior knowledge and experience with self-managed abortion among people seeking abortion care in US Midwestern states

This study seeks to understand what methods people use and/or have heard of others using for self-managed abortion (SMA) prior to coming to a health facility for abortion care.

We collected survey data on sociodemographics, gestational stage, and SMA awareness and methods from patients seeking care in 17 abortion facilities in Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Illinois from April 2020 to April 2022. We used descriptive statistics to examine the proportion of participants who had attempted SMA and, separately, who had heard of people attempting SMA.

In total, 71 respondents (4.2%) had attempted SMA, and 416 (25.5%) had heard of others attempting SMA. The most frequently attempted methods for self-management were taking herbs and/or vitamins (31% each) or hitting oneself/being hit (22.5%). About a third of those who tried SMA reported trying more than one method (30%).

Our findings suggest that people who attempt SMA are committed to self-managing their abortion. More research is needed to better understand sociodemographic characteristics of people who have attempted or heard of people attempting SMA research.