Gender diversity among aspiration-abortion patients

Elizabeth Janiak; Kari P Braaten; Alischer A Cottrill; Isabel R Fulcher; Alisa B Goldberg; Madina Agénor

doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2021.01.013

Gender diversity among aspiration-abortion patients

Contraception. 2021 Jun;103(6):426-427. doi: 10.1016/j.contraception.2021.01.013. Epub 2021 Feb 2.

Authors

Elizabeth Janiak¹, Kari P Braaten², Alischer A Cottrill³, Isabel R Fulcher⁴, Alisa B Goldberg⁵, Madina Agénor⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, Boston, MA, United States. Electronic address: ejaniak@bwh.harvard.edu.
² Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.
³ Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, Boston, MA, United States.
⁴ Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.
⁵ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, Boston, MA, United States.
⁶ Department of Community Health, Tufts University, Medford, MA, United States.

PMID: 33545129
DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2021.01.013

Abstract

Objective: Describe the array of gender identities among procedural abortion patients.

Study design: Cross-sectional survey of abortion patients in three clinics in Massachusetts. Following aspiration abortion procedures and prior to discharge, patients self-administered a survey on a tablet.

Results: From November 2017 through July 2018, 1,553 aspiration abortion patients completed the survey (participation rate: 82%). Patients reported several gender identities. Non-binary (0.4%) and agender (0.4%) were the most common identities after female (91.1%) and woman (6.0%). Overall, 2.7% of patients identified as a gender other than female or woman.

Conclusion: Aspiration abortion patients have a variety of gender identities. To promote quality of care for all patients, abortion providers can ensure their names, marketing materials, patient forms, and clinical environments are gender inclusive rather than focusing on women's health.

Keywords: Abortion; Gender inclusivity; Health care quality.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Abortion, Induced*
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Gender Identity*
Humans
Massachusetts
Pregnancy
Surveys and Questionnaires