Assessment of women's satisfaction with medical termination of pregnancy

Abstract

This was a prospective study involving 205 women seeking medical abortion with gestational age ⩽ 63 days. Questionnaires regarding expectations, experience and satisfaction with medical abortion were self-completed at the end of the procedure. Women's satisfaction was assessed using the visual analogue scale from 0 to 10. Satisfaction and acceptability parameters were correlated with socio-demographic and obstetric data. The mean degree of overall satisfaction was 8.3 (range 1 – 10). Around 90% of women would select the method again and would recommend it to a friend or relative. The degree of satisfaction showed a positive correlation with women's age (P < 0.001) and number of children (P < 0.05) and a significant negative correlation with gestational age (P < 0.005). Marital status, type of financial support and acceptable pain and bleeding experience also showed a correlation with the satisfaction score. On the other hand, acceptability was correlated with husband/partner agreement and support during the procedure and adequate counselling regarding pain and bleeding.