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Coast E, Lattof SR, van der Meulen Rodgers Y, Moore B, Poss C. The microeconomics of abortion: A scoping review and analysis of the economic consequences for abortion care-seekers. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0252005. [PMID: 34106927 PMCID: PMC8189560 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The economic consequences of abortion care and abortion policies for
individuals occur directly and indirectly. We lack synthesis of the economic
costs, impacts, benefit or value of abortion care at the micro-level (i.e.,
individuals and households). This scoping review examines the microeconomic
costs, benefits and consequences of abortion care and policies. Methods and findings Searches were conducted in eight electronic databases and applied
inclusion/exclusion criteria using the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews.
For inclusion, studies must have examined at least one of the following
outcomes: costs, impacts, benefits, and value of abortion care or abortion
policies. Quantitative and qualitative data were extracted for descriptive
statistics and thematic analysis. Of the 230 included microeconomic studies,
costs are the most frequently reported microeconomic outcome (n = 180),
followed by impacts (n = 84), benefits (n = 39), and values (n = 26).
Individual-level costs of abortion-related care have implications for the
timing and type of care sought, globally. In contexts requiring multiple
referrals or follow-up visits, these costs are multiplied. The ways in which
people pay for abortion-related costs are diverse. The intersection between
micro-level costs and delay(s) to abortion-related care is substantial.
Individuals forego other costs and expenditures, or are pushed further into
debt and/or poverty, in order to fund abortion-related care. The evidence
base on the economic impacts of policy or law change is from high-income
countries, dominated by studies from the United States. Conclusions Delays underpinned by economic factors can thwart care-seeking, affect the
type of care sought, and impact the gestational age at which care is sought
or reached. The evidence base includes little evidence on the micro-level
costs for adolescents. Specific sub-groups of abortion care-seekers
(transgendered and/or disabled people) are absent from the evidence and it
is likely that they may experience higher direct and indirect costs because
they may experience greater barriers to abortion care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernestina Coast
- Department of International Development, London School of Economics and
Political Science, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Samantha R. Lattof
- Department of International Development, London School of Economics and
Political Science, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yana van der Meulen Rodgers
- Department of Labor Studies and Employment Relations, Rutgers University,
Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
- Department of Women’s and Gender Studies, Rutgers University, Piscataway,
New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Brittany Moore
- Ipas, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of
America
| | - Cheri Poss
- Ipas, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of
America
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Rodgers YVDM, Coast E, Lattof SR, Poss C, Moore B. The macroeconomics of abortion: A scoping review and analysis of the costs and outcomes. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0250692. [PMID: 33956826 PMCID: PMC8101771 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although abortion is a common gynecological procedure around the globe, we lack synthesis of the known macroeconomic costs and outcomes of abortion care and abortion policies. This scoping review synthesizes the literature on the impact of abortion-related care and abortion policies on economic outcomes at the macroeconomic level (that is, for societies and nation states). METHODS AND FINDINGS Searches were conducted in eight electronic databases. We conducted the searches and application of inclusion/exclusion criteria using the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews. For inclusion, studies must have examined one of the following macroeconomic outcomes: costs, impacts, benefits, and/or value of abortion care or abortion policies. Quantitative and qualitative data were extracted for descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Of the 189 data extractions with macroeconomic evidence, costs at the national level are the most frequently reported economic outcome (n = 97), followed by impacts (n = 66), and benefits/value (n = 26). Findings show that post-abortion care services can constitute a substantial portion of national expenditures on health. Public sector coverage of abortion costs is sparse, and individuals bear most of the costs. Evidence also indicates that liberalizing abortion laws can have positive spillover effects for women's educational attainment and labor supply, and that access to abortion services contributes to improvements in children's human capital. However, the political economy around abortion legislation remains complicated and controversial. CONCLUSIONS Given the highly charged political nature of abortion around the global and the preponderance of rhetoric that can cloud reality in policy dialogues, it is imperative that social science researchers build the evidence base on the macroeconomic outcomes of abortion services and regulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yana van der Meulen Rodgers
- Department of Labor Studies and Employment Relations, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
- Department of Women’s and Gender Studies, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Ernestina Coast
- Department of International Development, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom
| | - Samantha R. Lattof
- Department of International Development, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom
| | - Cheri Poss
- Ipas, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Brittany Moore
- Ipas, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
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Ferguson I, Scott H. Systematic Review of the Effectiveness, Safety, and Acceptability of Mifepristone and Misoprostol for Medical Abortion in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY CANADA 2020; 42:1532-1542.e2. [PMID: 32912726 DOI: 10.1016/j.jogc.2020.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Abortion-related complications remain one of the leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Nearly half of all abortions are unsafe, and the vast majority of these occur in low- and middle-income countries. The use of mifepristone with misoprostol for medical abortion has been proposed and implemented to improve abortion safety. DATA SOURCES A systematic review of the literature was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and CINAHL. STUDY SELECTION Criteria for study inclusion were first-trimester abortion, use of mifepristone with misoprostol, and low- or middle-income country status as designated by the World Health Organization. DATA EXTRACTION Results for effectiveness, safety, acceptability, and qualitative information were assessed. DATA SYNTHESIS The literature search resulted in 181 eligible articles, 52 of which met our criteria for inclusion. A total of 34 publications reported effectiveness data on 25 385 medical abortions. The average effectiveness rate with mifepristone 200 mg and misoprostol 800 µg was 95% up to 63 days gestation. A sensitivity analysis was performed to assume that all women lost to follow-up failed treatment, and the recalculated effectiveness rate remained high at 93%. The average continuing pregnancy rate was 0.6%. A total of 22 publications reported safety and acceptability data on 17 381 medical abortions. Only 0.8% abortions required presentation to hospital, and 87% of patients found the side effects of treatment acceptable. Overall, 95% of women were satisfied with their medical abortion, 94% would choose the method again, and 94% would recommend this method to a friend. A total of 16 publications reported qualitative results and the majority supported positive patient experiences with medical abortion. CONCLUSIONS Mifepristone and misoprostol is highly effective, safe, and acceptable to women in low- and middle-income countries, making it a feasible option for reducing maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide.
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Nur N. Socioeconomic disparities among ever-married Turkish women who had unintended pregnancies and abortions in a middle Anatolian city. Women Health 2012; 52:716-29. [PMID: 23067154 DOI: 10.1080/03630242.2012.721875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Researchers undertook a cross-sectional study to examine socioeconomic disparities, unintended pregnancies, and decisions about induced abortions among ever-married women in the urban area of Sivas, Turkey. The data for the present study were gathered from a randomly-selected, household-based probability sample of 1,264 ever-married Turkish women. Unintended pregnancies accounted for 46.2% of total pregnancies and, of these, 30% ended in induced abortion. The proportion of induced abortion among all pregnancies was 21.7%. Multiple logistic regression analyses with adjusted odds ratios (aOR) showed that being aged less than 35 years (aOR = 2.14, p < 0.001), having less than a high school education (aOR = 2.18, p < 0.001), being unemployed (aOR = 2.77, p < 0.001), having more than three children (aOR = 1.54, p = 0.006), and having lower income (aOR = 2.11, p < 0.001) were associated with unintended pregnancies. Among women with unintended pregnancy, having more than three children (aOR = 3.06, p < 0.001), lower income (aOR = 3.39, p < 0.001), and age less than 35 years (aOR = 2.57, p < 0.001) were associated with induced abortion. These findings suggest that lower socioeconomic status was associated with induced abortion among women facing an unintended pregnancy. Women who experience unintended pregnancies, who have lower socioeconomic status and education level, should be the target group for midwives and other relevant healthcare providers for educational efforts regarding family planning and contraception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naim Nur
- Department of Public Health, Cumhuriyet Univerisity, Sivas, Turkey.
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Trends in inequalities in induced abortion according to educational level among urban women. J Urban Health 2010; 87:524-30. [PMID: 20229107 PMCID: PMC2871088 DOI: 10.1007/s11524-009-9394-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2009] [Accepted: 07/16/2009] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
This study aims to describe trends in inequalities by women's socioeconomic position and age in induced abortion in Barcelona (Spain) over 1992-1996 and 2000-2004. Induced abortions occurring in residents in Barcelona aged 20 and 44 years in the study period are included. Variables are age, educational level, and time periods. Induced abortion rates per 1,000 women and absolute differences for educational level, age, and time period are calculated. Poisson regression models are fitted to obtain the relative risk (RR) for trends. Induced abortion rates increased from 10.1 to 14.6 per 1,000 women aged 20-44 (RR = 1.44; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.41-1.47) between 1992-1996 and 2000-2004. The abortion rate was highest among women aged 20-24 and 25-34 and changed little among women aged 35-44. Among women aged 20-24 and 25-34, those with a primary education or less had higher rates of induced abortion in the second period. Induced abortion rates also grew in those women with secondary education. In the 35-44 age group, the induced abortion rate declined among women with a secondary education (RR = 0.66; 95% CI 0.60-0.73) and slightly among those with a greater level of education. Induced abortion is rising most among women in poor socioeconomic positions. This study reveals deep inequalities in induced abortion in Barcelona, Spain. The trends identified in this study suggest that policy efforts to reduce unintended pregnancies are failing in Spain. Our study fills an important gap in literature on recent trends in Southern Europe.
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Yarnall J, Swica Y, Winikoff B. Non-physician clinicians can safely provide first trimester medical abortion. REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH MATTERS 2009; 17:61-9. [DOI: 10.1016/s0968-8080(09)33445-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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Socioeconomic inequalities in unintended pregnancy and abortion decision. J Urban Health 2008; 85:125-35. [PMID: 18038210 PMCID: PMC2430141 DOI: 10.1007/s11524-007-9233-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2007] [Accepted: 10/11/2007] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Pregnancy planning allows women to better control their life trajectory and contributes to the future child's health and development. Many studies that have analyzed socioeconomic inequalities in unintended pregnancy only took into account those pregnancies ending in births. Few of them that analyzed unintended pregnancy, including both induced abortion and births, and its socioeconomic determinants, concluded that unintended pregnancy is more frequent in young, poor, or unmarried women. These inequalities have been poorly studied in Europe, especially in the southern European context. The aim of the present study is to describe socioeconomic inequalities in unintended pregnancy and in abortion decision in Barcelona, Spain. The major findings are that unintended pregnancies accounted for 41% of total pregnancy and of these, 60% ended in abortion. From all pregnancies, the proportion of induced abortion reached 25.6%. Compared to women with university studies, those with primary education incomplete had more unintended pregnancies (OR=7.22). When facing an unintended pregnancy, women of lower socioeconomic position are more likely to choose induced abortion, although this is not the case among young or single women. This study reveals deep socioeconomic inequalities in unintended pregnancies and abortion decision in Barcelona, Spain, where the birth rate is very low and the abortion rate is rising. Women in low socioeconomic positions have many more unintended pregnancies than better educated women. Except for young or single women, the lower the socioeconomic position, the higher the proportion of women who choose an induced abortion when facing an unintended pregnancy.
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Afable-Munsuz A, Gould H, Stewart F, Phillips KA, Van Bebber SL, Moore C. Provider practice models for and costs of delivering medication abortion -- evidence from 11 US abortion care settings. Contraception 2006; 75:45-51. [PMID: 17161124 DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2006.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2006] [Revised: 09/08/2006] [Accepted: 09/12/2006] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Understanding practice models and provider costs for medication abortion (MAB) provision may elucidate ways to facilitate MAB integration into a larger arena of health care services. This study provides descriptive data on the diverse MAB practice models currently being utilized by US health care providers and the costs associated with the components of those models. METHOD Data were gathered from a sample of 11 abortion care settings, using clinic administrative records and patient satisfaction surveys. RESULTS Practice models varied dramatically, with a wide range in the type of staff employed to provide MAB. The total episode cost for providing MAB ranged from 252 to 460 US Dollars, and patient satisfaction was high across all practices. CONCLUSION Information from this study can be used to guide decisions regarding MAB integration into practices not currently providing abortion or which provide only aspiration abortions. The information may also be useful for providers wishing to refine their MAB services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimee Afable-Munsuz
- University of California, San Francisco and Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH) program, Bixby Center for Reproductive Health Research & Policy, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
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Limacher JJ, Daniel I, Isaacksz S, Payne GJ, Dunn S, Coyte PC, Laporte A. Early Abortion in Ontario: Options and Costs. JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY CANADA 2006; 28:142-8. [PMID: 16643717 DOI: 10.1016/s1701-2163(16)32065-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Early abortions have been predominantly surgical for many years, but medical options with comparable efficacy and safety are now available. This study compares the costs of two medical options and two surgical options. METHODS We used a clinical model to compare the costs in Ontario of four options for early abortion: medical abortion using either mifepristone or methotrexate, and surgical abortion by vacuum aspiration in either a hospital or a free-standing clinic. The cost analysis was conducted from the perspectives of society, the health care system, and the patient. RESULTS From all perspectives, total costs were highest for hospital surgical abortion, followed by surgical abortion in a clinic. From the patient's perspective, total costs were higher for surgical abortion but direct costs (mainly for medications) were higher for medical abortion. The total cost of mifepristone and methotrexate abortion was equal if the price of mifepristone (200 mg) was $59.52. The model was robust but was sensitive to the price of mifepristone. CONCLUSION Early medical abortion costs less than early surgical abortion from the societal and health care system perspectives but more than surgical abortion from the patient's perspective. Surgical abortion costs more in hospitals than in free-standing clinics from the societal and health care system perspectives, but the costs are the same in both settings from the patient's perspective. No method for early abortion can be identified as best, and patients should be free to choose the option they prefer.
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Affiliation(s)
- James J Limacher
- Department of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto ON
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Van Bebber SL, Phillips KA, Weitz TA, Gould H, Stewart F. Patient costs for medication abortion: Results from a study of five clinical practices. Womens Health Issues 2006; 16:4-13. [PMID: 16487919 DOI: 10.1016/j.whi.2005.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2005] [Revised: 06/14/2005] [Accepted: 07/08/2005] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE In 2000, the FDA approved mifepristone as a medication abortion alternative. There is limited understanding of the patient costs associated with use of this method. Our objective was to determine total patient costs for medication abortion. This information may be useful for improving counseling and patient decision making. METHODS We surveyed 212 women who received a medication abortion from a convenience sample of 5 health care practices. Patient costs including direct medical costs (pregnancy test costs, charges), direct nonmedical costs (child care, travel, lodging), and productivity losses (value of time away from work or other activities) were determined. RESULTS The mean total cost for medication abortion was 351 dollars (0-1,140 dollars). The average charge paid by women themselves for the procedure itself was 306 dollars. Three quarters of total costs were direct medical costs and almost one quarter was time away from work and other activities. Although nearly three quarters of the women were insured, only 1% used insurance to cover their abortion--many (44%) did not know if their insurance covered abortion. CONCLUSIONS This study provides descriptive information on patient costs associated with medication abortion that may be integrated into patient counseling to enhance informed decision making by women. The study raises questions about why women who report having insurance are not aware of whether their insurance will cover abortion and suggests that we are unclear about women's and providers' preferences for using insurance. We should continue to develop our knowledge of the clinical and nonclinical trade-offs for women choosing between abortion methods to benefit patient decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie L Van Bebber
- Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health program, Center for Reproductive Health Research & Policy, San Francisco, California, USA
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Seelig MD, Gelberg L, Tavrow P, Lee M, Rubenstein LV. Determinants of physician unwillingness to offer medical abortion using mifepristone. Womens Health Issues 2006; 16:14-21. [PMID: 16487920 DOI: 10.1016/j.whi.2005.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2004] [Revised: 05/04/2005] [Accepted: 10/03/2005] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We sought to identify factors associated with contemplating versus not contemplating offering medical abortion with mifepristone among physicians not opposed to it. METHODS We analyzed data from a Kaiser Family Foundation survey of a nationally representative sample of 790 American obstetrician/gynecologists and primary care physicians. Our study sample consisted of 419 physicians who were not personally opposed to medical abortion and could be classified as not actively considering (precontemplation) or actively considering (contemplation) offering mifepristone. We conducted multivariate logistic regression to predict being unlikely to offer mifepristone (i.e., in the precontemplation stage of change). PRINCIPAL FINDINGS In 2001, 1 year after U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval, 5% of physicians surveyed were offering mifepristone. Among the 750 physicians not offering mifepristone, 57% were not opposed. Of those not opposed, 74% reported that they were unlikely to offer mifepristone in the next year (precontemplation) as compared to 23% who might offer it (contemplation). Independent predictors of being in the precontemplation stage were being a primary care versus OB/GYN physician (odds ratio [OR] 3.29, p = .02), being in private versus hospital-based practice (OR 2.40, p = .03), and lacking concerns about FDA regulations (OR 2.06, p = .01) or violence and protests (OR 1.93, p = .03) as barriers to offering mifepristone. CONCLUSIONS For precontemplation-stage physicians, the most efficient strategy for increasing the availability of medical abortion may be to design programs that emphasize clinical benefits and feasibility to stimulate interest in the procedure. For contemplation-stage physicians, the optimum approach may be one that helps to overcome barriers associated with FDA regulations and concerns about violence and protests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle D Seelig
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Department of Family Medicine, Los Angeles, California 90024-4142, USA.
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