"At the End of the Day it's Their choice": An Exploratory Qualitative Study of Pregnancy Options Counseling.

This study's purpose was to explore the current models and approaches of pregnancy options counseling across three types of agency settings in a Northeastern state. Additionally, this study aimed to determine if individuals who receive pregnancy options counseling obtained medically factual, non-directive, and non-biased information needed to make informed decisions related to their pregnancy decisions. Using qualitative research methodology, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 participants across three different agency settings in one state in the Northeastern United States. Results indicated agencies shared a definition of pregnancy options counseling. Outcomes also suggest agency type impacted how pregnancy options counseling was delivered, as variations were found in education provided to patients. Lastly, the interviews imply no standardized model or training for pregnancy options counselors is currently being used.

The practice of pregnancy options counseling in social service and healthcare settings in the United States: a systematic literature review.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this systematic literature was to summarize the literature on pregnancy options counseling for women and patients who experience an unintended pregnancy across healthcare and social service settings. METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature review using the PRISMA Checklist. Following the literature search of 8 electronic databases, we used a three-stage search process to screen articles for inclusion. RESULTS: A total of 20 peer-reviewed articles met the inclusion criteria for this study. Half (n = 10) of the articles reviewed were empirical studies utilizing quantitative or qualitative methodology while the other half (n = 10) were conceptual or non-empirical. The articles affirmed a shared definition of pregnancy options counseling, but terminology differences were noted over time. Lastly, variations of intervention practices appeared across practice settings, with referral practice variations being the most notable. CONCLUSION: Pregnancy options counseling practices varied across settings, suggesting patients who received this intervention may not have accessed equitable or ethical care.

Childhood Maltreatment and Child Protective Services Involvement Among the Commercially Sexually Exploited: A Comparison of Women Who Enter as Juveniles or as Adults.

A risk for commercial sexual exploitation is childhood maltreatment. It's unknown whether juveniles in commercial sexual exploitation experience more childhood maltreatment than adults or how involved child protective services is in investigating maltreatment, a focus of this study. Women (N = 96) who sold sex commercially completed a cross-sectional questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, t tests, chi-squares, and odds ratios were used to examine differences in background, childhood maltreatment, and child protective services involvement by juvenile or adult entry. Although 93% of participants experienced child maltreatment, juveniles had increased odds of parent/caregiver sexual abuse, being left alone, being kicked out, and running away from a parent/caregiver. There were no differences in cumulative childhood maltreatment resulting in an investigation or removal, indicating that juveniles not investigated or removed by child protective services had as much childhood maltreatment as juveniles who were investigated or removed by child protective services. Results highlight the need for child welfare staff to recognize childhood maltreatment as risks for commercial sexual exploitation.