Medical abortion or vacuum aspiration? Two year follow up of a patient preference trial.
OBJECTIVE
To describe and compare health outcomes two years after medical abortion or vacuum aspiration in women recruited into a patient preference trial during 1990 to 1991.


METHODS
Women recruited to the original, partially randomised study were contacted for assessment using a structured interview.


METHODS
Grampian region of Scotland, UK.


METHODS
One hundred and forty women who had participated in a partially randomised study of first trimester abortion two years previously.


METHODS
Vacuum aspiration or medical abortion using mifepristone and gemeprost.


METHODS
Long-term general, reproductive and psychological health; acceptability of procedure; perceived value of choice of method of termination.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences between women who had undergone medical abortion or vacuum aspiration two years previously in general, reproductive or psychological health. Almost all women placed a high value on the provision of choice of method of termination. There was a significant difference in perception of long term procedure acceptability among women who had been randomised to a method of termination.


CONCLUSIONS
Women should have the opportunity to choose the method of termination. This opportunity will result in high levels of acceptability, particularly at gestations under 50 days of amenorrhoea.
Howie
F L
FL
Department of Public Health, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, UK.
Henshaw
R C
RC
Naji
S A
SA
Russell
I T
IT
Templeton
A A
AA
D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D000527:Alprostadil / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D002755:Choice Behavior; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D015735:Mifepristone; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D018456:Reproductive Medicine; D014620:Vacuum Extraction, Obstetrical / Q000523:psychology*
D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D015735:Mifepristone; C021182:gemeprost; D000527:Alprostadil