Prevalence, attitudes and knowledge of misoprostol for self-induction of abortion in women presenting for abortion at reproductive health clinics

Abstract

Introduction: Although misoprostol is available with a prescription, restrictions on mifepristone requires administration directly from a health care provider. Expansive restrictions to legal abortion have led to reports of self-induced termination of undesired pregnancies, and misoprostol obtained without a prescription or provider has been reported. This study seeks to understand the increased prevalence of women seeking or employing misoprostol for self-induced abortion.