Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Prevalence of Abortions Prior to and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Large Health Care System.
Greiner, Karen S; Merchant, Maqdooda; Sackeim, Maryl G.
Afiliación
  • Greiner KS; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaiser Permanente San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
  • Merchant M; Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, California.
  • Sackeim MG; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaiser Permanente San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
J Midwifery Womens Health ; 68(6): 759-763, 2023.
Article en En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37496377
ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION:

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic presented patients with numerous barriers to accessing health care, including access to reproductive health services. The goal of this study was to assess the prevalence of abortion prior to versus during the COVID-19 pandemic within a large health care system to better understand if patients were able to access abortion care.

METHODS:

This was a retrospective, data-only cohort study examining the prevalence of abortion among patients aged 15 to 44 within Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) in the first 6 months of the COVID-19 stay-at-home order (April 1 to September 30, 2020) compared with a 6-month period in the year prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (April 1 to September 30, 2019). Analyses were conducted using χ2 and t tests, with a P value < .05 considered statistically significant.

RESULTS:

The prevalence of abortion among patients at risk of pregnancy in 2019 and 2020 was identical, at 0.04% (P = .93). Baseline characteristics were similar between the 2 periods. The prevalence of smoking among patients who had an abortion in 2019 was 11.24%, compared with 9.04% in 2020 (P = .0009). Additionally, 85.80% of patients had KPNC insurance 6 months after the abortion in 2019, compared with 89.53% in 2020 (P < .0001).

DISCUSSION:

The prevalence of abortion remained similar prior to and during the first 6 months of the COVID-19 pandemic within KPNC. Patients seeking abortion were less likely to smoke and were more likely to have consistent insurance 6 months after their abortion in 2020 versus 2019, potentially suggesting the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in healthier behaviors and more consistent access to health care. Despite stay-at-home orders and canceling of in-person clinic visits, abortion services remained accessible to a diverse population within a large health care system.
Asunto(s)
Palabras clave

Texto completo: 1 Bases de datos: MEDLINE Asunto principal: Aborto Inducido / COVID-19 Tipo de estudio: Observational_studies / Prevalence_studies / Risk_factors_studies Límite: Female / Humans / Pregnancy Idioma: En Revista: J Midwifery Womens Health Asunto de la revista: ENFERMAGEM / OBSTETRICIA / SAUDE DA MULHER Año: 2023 Tipo del documento: Article

Texto completo: 1 Bases de datos: MEDLINE Asunto principal: Aborto Inducido / COVID-19 Tipo de estudio: Observational_studies / Prevalence_studies / Risk_factors_studies Límite: Female / Humans / Pregnancy Idioma: En Revista: J Midwifery Womens Health Asunto de la revista: ENFERMAGEM / OBSTETRICIA / SAUDE DA MULHER Año: 2023 Tipo del documento: Article