Utilization of abortion services: a local level analysis

Abstract

Utilization rates of an abortion provider located in Roanoke, Virginia were compared with the national abortion rates. This study also examined the barriers that women must overcome in order to obtain abortion services. Green's PRECEDE model of health care behavior was used as a framework for the study. Generally, the Roanoke sample was very similar to the national rates, with any differences mostly explained by the demographic make up of the Roanoke region. Distance was found to be a barrier to the rural poor. Over half of the women who had their pregnancy tests performed at a health care facility were not given information on abortion services. Because the cost of a procedure increases with gestation and the number of providers declines with second trimester abortions, the findings suggest that this lack of timely information could put the option of abortion out of reach for some women.