Three years on: a review of medical terminations of pregnancy performed in a sexual health service

Downing, Sandra, McNamee, Heather, Penney, Debbie, Leamy, Joanne, de Costa, Caroline, and Russell, Darren B. (2010) Three years on: a review of medical terminations of pregnancy performed in a sexual health service. Sexual Health, 7 (2). pp. 212-215.

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Abstract

Access to abortion services is often limited in parts of regional Australia, including north Queensland. Since March 2006, the Cairns Sexual Health Service (CSHS) has provided medical termination of pregnancy (MToP) services for women up to 9 weeks gestation, using a regimen of methotrexate and misoprostol. We conducted a retrospective chart audit of all women undergoing an MToP at the CSHS between 1 March 2006 and 31 March 2009. In total, 147 medical terminations in 136 women were performed during this 3-year period. At the time of first presentation, the mean age was 27 years, 77 (57%) of the 136 women were of less than 7 weeks gestation and 86 (63%) had not had a previous termination. A successful medical termination of pregnancy was achieved in 69 of 85 (81%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 72, 88) women at less than 7 weeks gestation and in 43 of 62 (69%, 95% CI: 57, 80) women with gestation between 7 and 9 weeks. Provision of medical termination of pregnancy through sexual health services is one strategy to address access inequity in regional areas. Demand for this service in Cairns continues to rise; however, since late August 2009 MToP in Queensland is no longer available pending legal reform.

Item ID: 15011
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1449-8987
Keywords: medical abortion; methotrexate; misoprostol
Date Deposited: 20 Jan 2011 02:16
FoR Codes: 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1114 Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine > 111402 Obstetrics and Gynaecology @ 100%
SEO Codes: 92 HEALTH > 9201 Clinical Health (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions) > 920114 Reproductive System and Disorders @ 100%
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