Seeking abortion accompaniment: experiences and self-managed abortion preferences of hotline callers after abortion legalisation in Argentina.

BACKGROUND: Until the legalisation of abortion in Argentina in 2021, the Socorristas en Red, a network of feminist collectives, provided support and information ('accompaniment') to people self-managing their abortion with medications. Following legalisation, the Socorristas continued accompanying people self-managing or accessing abortion through the healthcare system. We conducted a cross-sectional study to understand preferences, experiences and choices about abortion when contacting a Socorristas hotline after legalisation of abortion in Argentina. METHODS: We surveyed callers to the Socorristas' hotline in Neuquén, Argentina about their demographics, pregnancy history, reasons for calling, and experiences seeking abortion through the hotline and the healthcare system. We assessed overall prevalence of these experiences, and analysed differences between people who contacted the health system before calling the hotline and those who first called the hotline for services. RESULTS: Of the 755 callers in the study, the majority (63.3%) contacted the Socorristas because they trusted them, and 21.7% called because they both trusted the Socorristas and did not want to go to the healthcare system. At the end of the call, most people (95.4%) chose to self-manage their abortion with accompaniment outside the healthcare system. People who called the healthcare system prior to contacting the hotline frequently reported being referred to the Socorristas, as well as challenges scheduling appointments. CONCLUSIONS: After legalisation of abortion in Argentina there is continued demand for accompaniment. Globally, ensuring that accompaniment and self-management of abortion is legal and protected will provide individuals with the support and facilitated access to the abortion care they desire.

Self-managed medication abortion trajectories: results from a prospective observational study in Argentina, Nigeria and Southeast Asia.

OBJECTIVES: Time is a crucial factor in abortion-seeking because options for care change with pregnancy duration, and most people prefer to access abortion care early in pregnancy. We aimed to collect data on the timing of steps in accompanied self-managed abortion-seeking experiences in legally restrictive settings. METHODS: In this prospective, observational, cohort study we recruited callers from three abortion accompaniment groups in Argentina, Nigeria and a country in Southeast Asia. Participants completed a baseline survey before starting a self-managed medication abortion (SMA) and two follow-up surveys (approximately 1 and 3 weeks after taking medication). Primary outcomes of interest included: (1) time from abortion decision to contacting the hotline, (2) time from contacting the hotline to obtaining pills and (3) time from obtaining pills to taking the first dose. We explored relationships between participant characteristics and each of these outcomes and evaluated differences in overall abortion time using survival analyses. RESULTS: Between July 31, 2019 and October 01, 2020 we enrolled 1352 eligible callers; 1148 provided data for this analysis. After deciding to have an abortion, participants took 12.2 days on average (95% CI: 11.6, 12.9) to start medications for abortion. On average, participants at later pregnancy durations progressed through the SMA process more quickly (<4 weeks: 20.9 days, 4 weeks: 11 days, 5-6 weeks: 10.1 days, 7-9 weeks, 10.4 days, 10+ weeks: 9.1 days; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, participants accessed accompaniment group support and started abortion regimens quickly and at relatively early pregnancy durations. SMA with accompaniment provided a time-efficient route for obtaining abortions.

Quality of care from the perspective of people obtaining abortion: a qualitative study in four countries.

OBJECTIVE: This qualitative study aimed to identify person-centred domains that would contribute to the definition and measurement of abortion quality of care based on the perceptions, experiences and priorities of people seeking abortion. METHODS: We conducted interviews with people seeking abortion aged 15-41 who obtained care in Argentina, Bangladesh, Ethiopia or Nigeria. Participants were recruited from hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, call centres and accompaniment models. We conducted thematic analysis and quantified key domains of quality identified by the participants. RESULTS: We identified six themes that contributed to high-quality abortion care from the clients' perspective, with particular focus on interpersonal dynamics. These themes emerged as participants described their abortion experience, reflected on their interactions with providers and defined good and bad care. The six themes included (1) kindness and respect, (2) information exchange, (3) emotional support, (4) attentive care throughout the process, (5) privacy and confidentiality and (6) prepared for and able to cope with pain. CONCLUSIONS: People seeking abortion across multiple country contexts and among various care models have confirmed the importance of interpersonal care in quality. These findings provide guidance on six priority areas which could be used to sharpen the definition of abortion quality, improve measurement, and design interventions to improve quality.

Characterizing two models for abortion care in Argentina pre-Law 27.610: 2016-2019.

OBJECTIVE: Explore the use of two abortion care models in Argentina over the period 2016-2019: pro-rights private medical service providers and abortion accompaniment (via self-management and via health institutions); and compare the profile of who accesses these models and when. METHODS: We used data from accompaniment collectives in the Socorristas en Red and private service providers. We estimated annual abortion rates via these service models and compared the profile of the populations by type of service and gestational age (2019) using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. RESULTS: In 2016, 37 people per 100,000 women of reproductive age obtained accompanied self-managed abortions, and the number increased to 111 per 100,000 in 2019, a threefold increase. The rate of abortions via care providers was 18 per 100,000 in 2016 and 33 in 2019. Higher proportions of those who obtained abortion via care providers were 30 years or older. A higher proportion of those accompanied were 19 years or younger; 11% of those who obtained accompanied self-managed abortions were more than 12 weeks gestation compared with 7% among those who had accompanied abortions via health institutions and 0.2% among those who had abortions with private providers. A higher proportion of those who accessed accompanied abortions after 12 weeks gestation had lower educational levels, did not work or have social security coverage, had more past pregnancies, and attempted to terminate their pregnancies prior to contacting the Socorristas compared to those who had accompanied abortions at 12 weeks or earlier. CONCLUSIONS: In Argentina, prior to Law 27.610 models of care guaranteed access to safe abortion. It is important to continue making visible and legitimizing these models of care so that all those who decide to have an abortion, whether inside or outside health institutions, have safe and positive experiences.

Characterizing two models for abortion care in Argentina pre-Law 27.610: 2016-2019 / Utilización de dos modelos en la atención al aborto en Argentina pre-Ley 27.610: 2016-2019

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE Explore the use of two abortion care models in Argentina over the period 2016-2019: pro-rights private medical service providers and abortion accompaniment (via self-management and via health institutions); and compare the profile of who accesses these models and when. METHODS We used data from accompaniment collectives in the Socorristas en Red and private service providers. We estimated annual abortion rates via these service models and compared the profile of the populations by type of service and gestational age (2019) using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. RESULTS In 2016, 37 people per 100,000 women of reproductive age obtained accompanied self-managed abortions, and the number increased to 111 per 100,000 in 2019, a threefold increase. The rate of abortions via care providers was 18 per 100,000 in 2016 and 33 in 2019. Higher proportions of those who obtained abortion via care providers were 30 years or older. A higher proportion of those accompanied were 19 years or younger; 11% of those who obtained accompanied self-managed abortions were more than 12 weeks gestation compared with 7% among those who had accompanied abortions via health institutions and 0.2% among those who had abortions with private providers. A higher proportion of those who accessed accompanied abortions after 12 weeks gestation had lower educational levels, did not work or have social security coverage, had more past pregnancies, and attempted to terminate their pregnancies prior to contacting the Socorristas compared to those who had accompanied abortions at 12 weeks or earlier. CONCLUSIONS In Argentina, prior to Law 27.610 models of care guaranteed access to safe abortion. It is important to continue making visible and legitimizing these models of care so that all those who decide to have an abortion, whether inside or outside health institutions, have safe and positive experiences.

RESUMEN OBJETIVO Explorar la utilización de dos modelos para la atención al aborto en Argentina en el período 2016-2019: abortos con proveedores de servicios médicos privados proderechos y abortos acompañados (vía autogestión y vía instituciones de salud); y comparar el perfil de quiénes acceden a estos modelos y cuándo. MÉTODOS Utilizamos datos de sistematizaciones de colectivas de acompañamiento en Socorristas en Red y de proveedores de servicios privados. Estimamos tasas anuales de abortos mediante estos servicios y comparamos el perfil de las poblaciones por tipo de servicio y edad gestacional (2019) utilizando estadísticas descriptivas y prueba chi-cuadrado. RESULTADOS En el 2016, 37 personas por cada 100,000 mujeres en edad reproductiva obtuvieron abortos acompañados vía autogestión, aumentando a 111 por 100,000 en 2019, es decir, se triplicó. La tasa de abortos con proveedores fue de 18 por 100,000 en 2016 y de 33 en 2019. Mayor proporción de quienes acudieron con proveedores tenía 30 años o más y mayor proporción de personas acompañadas tenía 19 años o menos; el 11% de quienes obtuvieron abortos acompañados vía autogestión tenía más de 12 semanas de gestación en comparación con el 7% entre quienes tuvieron abortos acompañados vía instituciones de salud y el 0.2% entre quienes abortaron con proveedores. Una mayor proporción de quienes accedieron a abortos acompañados después de 12 semanas de gestación tenía menor nivel educativo, no trabajaban ni tenían cobertura de obra social, y habían tenido más embarazos e intentado interrumpir su embarazo comparando con quienes abortaron acompañadas a las 12 semanas o antes. CONCLUSIONES En Argentina existen modelos de atención que han garantizado el acceso a abortos seguros desde antes de la Ley 27.610. Es importante continuar visibilizando y legitimando estos modelos para que todas las personas que deciden abortar, dentro o fuera de instituciones de salud, tengan experiencias seguras y positivas.

Abortion beyond 13 weeks in Argentina: healthcare seeking experiences during self-managed abortion accompanied by the Socorristas en Red.

BACKGROUND: In Argentina, a group of feminist activists, the Socorristas en Red, provide information and accompaniment to people seeking abortions, including beyond 13 weeks gestation. Recently-released WHO guidelines for abortion care acknowledge that abortion trajectories vary and people may seek services and support from a range of settings in the process of an abortion. It follows, therefore, that people who self manage abortions beyond 13 weeks with the support of accompaniment groups may interact with health professionals in the public and/or private sector. Understanding the reasons for and experiences with these interactions can help to inform best practice. METHODS: In 2016, we conducted 23 exploratory interviews among women who self managed abortions beyond 13 weeks gestation accompanied by Socorristas, to understand healthcare-seeking decisions and experiences. We used narrative inquiry as an interview technique and coded interviews using first a holistic coding and, second, a content analysis technique to identify emergent themes in the text and subsequently identify themes relevant to study aims. RESULTS: We found that many participants had disclosed their abortion intentions to health professionals prior to their abortions. Some were provided with emotional support and referrals to the Socorristas, while others were admonished and warned of serious health consequences. Most participants sought post-abortion care in public or private-sector health facilities; for fear of legal repercussions, many participants did not share that they had used abortion medications with post-abortion care providers. During care seeking, some participants reported poor treatment, in several cases because they were suspected of inducing abortion, while others reported supportive care from health professionals who had previously-established relationships with the Socorristas. CONCLUSIONS: This study illuminates the important role that supportive health professionals can play to ensure that, regardless of the trajectory of an abortion, people feel comfortable accessing clinical services during their abortion process, even in restrictive settings. Feminist activists can help build bridges with the medical system to ensure that providers who interact with people seeking abortion-related services are empathic, understand their legal rights, and provide supportive care.

Before 2021, Argentina's laws prohibited abortion except in limited circumstances. A feminist activist group, the Socorristas en Red, provided information and support to people seeking abortion services, including those beyond 13 weeks gestation. Recently-released WHO guidelines for abortion care acknowledge that abortion trajectories vary and people may seek services and support from a range of settings in the process of a single abortion (World Health Organization, 2022). It follows, therefore, that people who self manage abortions beyond 13 weeks with the support of accompaniment groups may interact with health professionals in the public and/or private sector. Understanding reasons for and experiences with these interactions can help improve quality of abortion care and inform best practice. We conducted interviews with people who used medications for abortion in the second trimester supported by the Socorristas and analyzed their stories about abortion-related healthcare. Participants in our study sought healthcare services in clinics at various timepoints: many visited providers when first considering abortion, and most went to providers for post-abortion care. Some providers admonished their patients for seeking abortion services, while others provided referrals to the Socorristas. Many participants were concerned about their legal safety, and feared prosecution when they received healthcare services, especially if seeking care after the abortion. In these instances, some participants experienced poor quality or inappropriate care because they did not feel safe sharing that they had taken medications for abortion, and others were treated poorly because of the abortion. The experiences of those who sought services from health professionals who had established relationships with the Socorristas appeared to be more positive than the others. This study illuminates the important role that supportive health professionals can play to ensure that, regardless of the trajectory of an abortion, people feel comfortable accessing clinical services during the course of an abortion, even in restrictive settings, and how feminist activists can help to ensure providers are empathic and provide supportive care to all those who have abortions.

A qualitative exploration of how the COVID-19 pandemic shaped experiences of self-managed medication abortion with accompaniment group support in Argentina, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Venezuela.

Globally, people self-manage their medication abortions without clinical assistance. Feminist activist collectives (accompaniment groups) support people through self-managed abortion with evidence-based guidance. We sought to understand the impact of COVID-19 and related restrictions on the need for and experiences of self-managed abortion with accompaniment support across varied legal and social contexts. Between May and October 2020, we conducted in-depth interviews with individuals who self-managed abortions with support from accompaniment groups during the pandemic in Argentina, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Venezuela. We conducted a thematic analysis to understand the impact of COVID-19 on participants' experiences with accompanied self-managed abortions. Across 43 in-depth interviews, participants in all four countries described how the COVID-19 pandemic created challenges at each step of their abortion process, from confirming the pregnancy, accessing abortion pills, finding a private, comfortable place, and verifying abortion completion. For most people, conditions related to the pandemic made it harder to self-manage an abortion; for a minority, being at home made aspects of the experience somewhat easier. Nonetheless, all participants reported feeling supported by accompaniment groups, and COVID-19 and related lockdowns reinforced their preference for accompaniment-supported self-managed abortion. These findings highlight the essential role that accompaniment groups play in ensuring access to high-quality abortion care in a multiplicity of settings, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Efforts are needed to expand the reach of accompaniment groups to increase access to the high-quality abortion support they provide, filling a critical gap left by health systems and legal infrastructure.

Perspectives on high-quality interpersonal care among people obtaining abortions in Argentina.

INTRODUCTION: Little is known about how people who have abortions describe high-quality interpersonal care in Argentina. This qualitative study aimed to understand preferences and priorities in their interactions with providers. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted 24 in-depth interviews with people who obtained abortions at a comprehensive reproductive health clinic or with support from a feminist accompaniment group in Buenos Aires and Neuquén, Argentina. We iteratively coded transcripts using a thematic analysis approach based on interpersonal domains present in current quality of care frameworks. RESULTS: Participants described high-quality abortion care as feeling acompañamiento and contención from their providers - terms that imply receiving kind, caring, compassionate and emotionally supportive care throughout their abortion. They described four key elements of interpersonal interactions: attentive communication from providers and accompaniers, clear and understandable information provision, non-judgmental support, and individualized options for pain management. CONCLUSIONS: People obtaining abortions in Argentina consistently identified receiving compassionate and supportive care throughout an abortion as a key aspect of care. The findings have implications for incorporating people's perspectives in the development of care guidelines, training of providers, and monitoring and improving of services. This is particularly important as the government of Argentina prepares to expand legal access to abortion.

Little is known about how people who have abortions perceive the quality of the care they receive and what aspects of interpersonal interactions with providers matter to them. This qualitative study aimed to understand preferences of  people who had abortions at both a reproductive health clinic and with an accompaniment group in Argentina. We interviewed 24 people who obtained abortion care in Buenos Aires and Neuquén, Argentina. We asked them about their preferences for and experiences of abortion care. Then we analyzed the interviews, specifically assessing aspects of interpersonal care based on quality of care frameworks from the literature. Participants described high-quality abortion care as feeling acompañamiento and contención from their providers­terms that imply receiving kind, caring, compassionate and emotionally supportive care throughout their abortions. They described four key elements of interpersonal interactions: attentive communication from providers and accompaniers, clear and understandable information provision, non-judgmental support, and individualized options for pain management. In conclusion, people obtaining abortions in two distinct models of care in Argentina consistently identified receiving compassionate and supportive care throughout an abortion as a key aspect of care. The findings have implications for incorporating people's perspectives in the development of care guidelines, training of providers, and monitoring and improving of services. This is particularly important as the government of Argentina prepares to expand legal access to abortion.

Effectiveness of self-managed medication abortion with accompaniment support in Argentina and Nigeria (SAFE): a prospective, observational cohort study and non-inferiority analysis with historical controls.

BACKGROUND: Clinical trials have established the high effectiveness and safety of medication abortion in clinical settings. However, barriers to clinical abortion care have shifted most medication abortion use to out-of-clinic settings, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Given this shift, we aimed to estimate the effectiveness of self-managed medication abortion (medication abortion without clinical support), and to compare it to effectiveness of clinician-managed medication abortion. METHODS: For this prospective, observational cohort study, we recruited callers from two safe abortion accompaniment groups in Argentina and Nigeria who requested information on self-managed medication abortion. Before using one of two medication regimens (misoprostol alone or in combination with mifepristone), participants completed a baseline survey, and then two follow-up phone surveys at 1 week and 3 weeks after taking pills. The primary outcome was the proportion of participants reporting a complete abortion without surgical intervention. Legal restrictions precluded enrolment of a concurrent clinical control group; thus, a non-inferiority analysis compared abortion completion among those in our self-managed medication abortion cohort with abortion completion reported in historical clinical trials using the same medication regimens, restricted to participants with pregnancies of less than 9 weeks' gestation. This study was registered with ISCRTN, ISRCTN95769543. FINDINGS: Between July 31, 2019, and April 27, 2020, we enrolled 1051 participants. We analysed abortion outcomes for 961 participants, with an additional 47 participants reached after the study period. Most pregnancies were less than 12 weeks' duration. Participants in follow-up self-managed their abortions using misoprostol alone (593 participants) or the combined regimen of misoprostol plus mifepristone (356 participants). At last follow-up, 586 (99%) misoprostol alone users and 334 (94%) combined regimen users had a complete abortion without surgical intervention. For those with pregnancies of less than 9 weeks' gestation, both regimens were non-inferior to medication abortion effectiveness in clinical settings. INTERPRETATION: Findings from this prospective cohort study show that self-managed medication abortion with accompaniment group support is highly effective and, for those with pregnancies of less than 9 weeks' gestation, non-inferior to the effectiveness of clinician-managed medication abortion administered in a clinical setting. These findings support the use of remote self-managed models of early abortion care, as well as telemedicine, as is being considered in several countries because of the COVID-19 pandemic. FUNDING: David and Lucile Packard Foundation. TRANSLATIONS: For the Arabic, French, Bahasa Indonesian, Spanish and Yoruba translations of the Article see Supplementary Materials section.

In-person later abortion accompaniment: a feminist collective-facilitated self-care practice in Latin America.

In Argentina, Chile and Ecuador, abortion at later durations of pregnancy is legally restricted. Feminist collectives in these contexts support people through self-managed medical abortion outside the healthcare system. The model of in-person abortion accompaniment represents an opportunity to examine a self-care practice that challenges and reimagines abortion provision. We formed a collaborative partnership built on a commitment to shared power and decision-making between researchers and partners. We conducted 28 key informant interviews with accompaniers in Argentina, Chile and Ecuador in 2019 about their model of in-person abortion accompaniment at later durations of pregnancy. We iteratively coded transcripts using a thematic analysis approach. Accompaniers premised their work in a feminist activist framework that understands accompaniment as addressing inequalities and expanding rights, especially for the historically marginalised. Through a detailed description of the process of in-person accompaniment, we show that the model, including the logistical considerations and security mechanisms put in place to ensure favourable abortion outcomes, emphasises peer-to-peer provision of supportive physical and emotional care of the accompanied person. In this way, it represents supported self-care through which individuals are centred as the protagonists of their own abortion, while being accompanied by feminist peers. This model of supported self-care challenges the idea that "self-care" necessarily means "solo care", or care that happens alone. The model's focus on peer-to-peer transfer of knowledge, providing emotional support, and centring the accompanied person not only expands access to abortion, but represents person-centred practices that could be scaled and replicated across contexts.

Effectiveness of self-managed medication abortion between 13 and 24 weeks gestation: A retrospective review of case records from accompaniment groups in Argentina, Chile, and Ecuador.

OBJECTIVES: In settings where abortion is legally restricted or inaccessible, grassroots feminist networks provide evidence-based information and support to individuals who self-manage abortions-a model of care known as abortion accompaniment. This study aims to fill a gap in existing evidence about out-of-clinic abortion beyond 12 weeks gestation. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective analysis of anonymized case records from accompaniment groups based in Argentina, Chile, and Ecuador of abortions supported between 13 and 24 weeks gestation. We report on the reproductive histories of individuals who had accompanied abortions, as well as medication regimens, and outcomes. RESULTS: Between 2016 and 2018, 316 individuals received accompaniment support for 318 self-managed medication abortions between 13 and 24 weeks gestation. Individuals most commonly used mifepristone-misoprostol (n = 297, 93%), with sublingual misoprostol administration (n = 288, 88%). Medication alone resulted in 241 complete abortions (76%); 37 (12%) individuals underwent manual vacuum aspiration or dilation and curettage within the formal health system, and 16 people (5%) required an additional medication abortion attempt at a later date, resulted in ongoing pregnancy, or were lost to follow-up. After accounting for additional interventions or monitoring at a healthcare facility, 302 of 318 (95%) abortion attempts completed overall. We had complete information regarding complications only from Chile (n = 78); of these, 12 (15%) experienced potential complications, including delayed placental expulsion and/or heavy bleeding (n = 5, 6%), high fever (n = 3, 4%), and hypotension, panic attack, or vomiting (n = 3, 4%). No abortions resulted in transfusion or hysterectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Self-managed medication abortion, with accompaniment network support and linkages to the formal health system in the event that complications arise, may be an effective and safe option for abortion beyond the first trimester - particularly in legally restrictive settings. IMPLICATIONS: These results build on an emerging body of evidence suggesting that self-managed medication abortion beyond 12 weeks gestation, conducted with accompaniment support and referrals to formal health care services as needed, can be an effective model of abortion care - and can provide a safe alternative to clandestine surgical procedures.

Studying Accompaniment model Feasibility and Effectiveness (SAFE) Study: study protocol for a prospective observational cohort study of the effectiveness of self-managed medication abortion.

INTRODUCTION: A range of barriers deter or prevent people from accessing facility-based abortion care. As a result, people are obtaining and using abortifacient medications to end their pregnancies outside of the formal healthcare system, without clinical supervision. One model of self-managed abortion has come to be known as the 'accompaniment' model, in which grassroots organisations provide pregnant people with evidence-based counselling and support through the medication abortion process. Data are needed to understand the safety and effectiveness of this increasingly common model of abortion care. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a large, prospective, observational study in Argentina and Nigeria. All people who contact one of two accompaniment groups seeking information for their own self-managed medication abortion, are ages 13 years and older, have no contraindications for medication abortion, are within the gestational range supported by the group (up to 12 weeks' gestation for the primary outcome) and are willing to be contacted for follow-up will be recruited. Participants will respond to an interviewer-administered baseline survey at enrolment, and 1-4 additional surveys over 6 weeks to ascertain whether they obtain medications for abortion, dosing and route of administration of medications, physical and emotional experience of medication abortion self-management, and effectiveness and safety outcomes. Analyses will include estimates of the primary outcome: the proportion of participants that report a complete abortion without surgical intervention at last recorded follow-up; as well as secondary outcomes including a pseudo-experimental test of non-inferiority of the effectiveness of self-managed medication abortion as compared with clinical medication abortion. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: We describe the ethical considerations and protections for this study, as well the creation of a study-specific Data Monitoring and Oversight Committee. We describe dissemination plans to ensure that study results are shared widely with all relevant audiences, particularly researchers, advocates, policymakers and clinicians. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN95769543.