Abstract
Purpose
The extent that state-mandated informed consent scripts affect women's knowledge about
abortion is unknown. We examine women's endorsement of common abortion myths before
and after receiving state-mandated information that included accurate and inaccurate
statements about abortion.
Methods
In Utah, women presenting for an abortion information visit completed baseline surveys
(n = 494) and follow-up interviews 3 weeks later (n = 309). Women answered five items about abortion risks, indicating which of two statements
was closer to the truth (as established by prior research) or responding “don't know.”
We developed a continuous myth endorsement scale (range, 0–1) and, using multivariable
regression models, examined predictors of myth endorsement at baseline and change
in myth endorsement from baseline to follow-up.
Results
At baseline, many women reported not knowing about abortion risks (range, 36%–70%
across myths). Women who were younger, non-White, and had previously given birth but
not had a prior abortion reported higher myth endorsement at baseline. Overall, myth
endorsement decreased after the information visit (0.37–0.31; p < .001). However, endorsement of the myth that was included in the state script—describing
inaccurate risks of depression and anxiety—increased at follow-up (0.47–0.52; p < .05).
Conclusions
Lack of knowledge about the effects of abortion is common. Knowledge of information
that was accurately presented or not referenced in state-mandated scripts increased.
In contrast, inaccurate information was associated with decreases in women's knowledge
about abortion, violating accepted principles of informed consent. State policies
that require or result in the provision of inaccurate information should be reconsidered.
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Biography
Nancy F. Berglas, DrPH, is a public health social scientist at Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health at the University of California, San Francisco.
Biography
Heather Gould, MPH, is a research manager for several studies at Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health, at the University of California, San Francisco.
Biography
David K. Turok, MD, MPH, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Biography
Jessica N. Sanders, PhD, MSPH, is Director of Family Planning Research in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Biography
Alissa C. Perrucci, PhD, MPH, is a clinical psychologist and Counseling & Administrative Manager at the Women's Options Center at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center.
Biography
Sarah C.M. Roberts, DrPH, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences and a public health social scientist at Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health, both at the University of California, San Francisco.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 25, 2017
Accepted:
December 20,
2016
Received in revised form:
December 16,
2016
Received:
May 31,
2016
Footnotes
Funding Statement: This study was supported by a research grant from the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation. The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The authors report no financial conflicts of interest.
Identification
Copyright
© 2016 Jacobs Institute of Women's Health. Published by Elsevier Inc.
