title: Risky choices: the dangers of teens using self-induced abortion attempts.
abstract: Although researchers and practitioners alike have long been aware of the existence and dangers of self-induced abortions, virtually no research exists on this topic. This article describes methods of self-induced abortion from current and historical literature. A case study of an adolescent using quinine is discussed to highlight both the reasons some adolescents choose to self-abort and the possible dangers of using such methods. Serious risks to the adolescent are associated with any self-induced abortion attempt. Nurse practitioners are in a key position to assess an adolescent's risk factors for self-induced abortion attempts and to educate about the dangers of such attempts.
authors.affiliation: Tecumsch Area Planned Parenthood Association, Lafayette, Indiana, USA.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000024:Abortion, Illegal / Q000523:psychology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D002755:Choice Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000523:psychology*; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012309:Risk-Taking; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000523:psychology*