scholarly journals Improving abortion underreporting in the United States: a cognitive interview study

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Mueller ◽  
Marielle Kirstein ◽  
Alicia VandeVusse ◽  
Laura Lindberg

Background: Abortion is a difficult-to-measure behavior with extensive survey underreporting, which compromises the ability to study and monitor abortion. The purpose of this study was to improve our understanding of how women interpret and respond to survey items asking if they have ever had an abortion. Methods: We developed multiple new questions hypothesized to improve abortion reporting, using approaches that aim to clarify which experiences to report as an induced abortion; reduce the stigma and sensitivity of induced abortion; reduce the sense of intrusiveness of asking about abortion; and increase the motivation to report. We conducted cognitive interviews with cisgender women aged 18-49 in two US states (N=64) to iteratively assess these new approaches and questions for improving abortion reporting. Results: Our findings suggest that including abortion as part of a list of other sexual and reproductive health services, asking a yes/no question about lifetime experience of abortion instead of asking about number of abortions, and developing an improved introduction to abortion questions may help to elicit more accurate survey reports. Conclusions: Opportunities exist to improve survey measurement of abortion. Reducing underreporting of abortion in surveys has the potential to improve sexual and reproductive health research that relies on pregnancy histories.

2022 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-12
Author(s):  
Anna W. Brittain ◽  
Riley J. Steiner ◽  
Amy M. Fasula ◽  
Kendra Hatfield-Timajchy ◽  
Aniket Kulkarni ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (9) ◽  
pp. 979-994 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lilli Mann ◽  
Amanda E. Tanner ◽  
Christina J. Sun ◽  
Jennifer Toller Erausquin ◽  
Florence M. Simán ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
pp. bmjsrh-2021-201081
Author(s):  
Malia Maier ◽  
Goleen Samari ◽  
Jennifer Ostrowski ◽  
Clarisa Bencomo ◽  
Terry McGovern

ObjectiveA weak and politicised COVID-19 pandemic response in the United States (US) that failed to prioritise sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) overlaid longstanding SRHR inequities. In this study we investigated how COVID-19 affected SRHR service provision in the US during the first 6 months of the pandemic.MethodsWe used a multiphase, three-part, mixed method approach incorporating: (1) a comprehensive review of state-by-state emergency response policies that mapped state-level actions to protect or suspend SRHR services including abortion, (2) a survey of SRHR service providers (n=40) in a sample of 10 states that either protected or suspended services and (3) in-depth interviews (n=15) with SRHR service providers and advocacy organisations.ResultsTwenty-one states designated some or all SRHR services as essential and therefore exempt from emergency restrictions. Protections, however, varied by state and were not always comprehensive. Fourteen states acted to suspend abortion. Five cross-cutting themes surrounding COVID-19’s impact on SRHR services emerged across the survey and interviews: reductions in SRHR service provision; shifts in service utilisation; infrastructural impacts; the critical role of state and local governments; and exacerbation of SRHR inequities for certain groups.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates serious disruptions to the provision of SRHR care that exacerbated existing SRHR inequities. The presence or absence of policy protections for SRHR services had critical implications for providers and patients. Policymakers and service providers must prioritise and integrate SRHR into emergency preparedness planning and implementation, with earmarked funding and tailored service delivery for historically oppressed groups.


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