The association of experiences of medical mistrust and mistreatment and ever considering self-managing an abortion

Abstract

Objective: To assess the prevalence of ever considering self-managing an abortion (SMA) and its associations with experiences of medical mistrust and mistreatment in a nationally representative sample.

Study design: In 2021-22, we conducted a national, cross-sectional, online probability-based survey of US people assigned female at birth ages 15-49. Among those who had ever been pregnant, we ran weighted multivariable logistic regressions to examine whether having had difficulty trusting medical providers and/or experiencing medical mistreatment was associated with SMA consideration.

Results: Of 4260 participants who had ever been pregnant, 5.2% (95% CI, 4.3%-6.3%) ever considered SMA. Additionally, 38.8% (95% CI, 36.8%-40.9%) reported prior moderate medical mistrust; 17.0% (15.4%-18.6%) experienced neglect of symptoms only, and 22.2% (20.6%-24.0%) experienced ridicule or humiliation in a previous healthcare encounter. In multivariable analyses, those who reported prior high medical mistrust had increased odds of considering SMA (aOR=5.2, [95% CI, 2.9-9.2]), compared to those who had no prior medical mistrust. Those who had experienced ridicule or humiliation by healthcare providers had increased odds of considering SMA (aOR=3.8, [95% CI, 2.3-6.1]), compared to those without such experiences. Participants who believed others perceived them as Black or Arab/Middle Eastern, were poor in their youth, or identified as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and other had higher proportions of considering SMA (p-values<0.01).

Conclusions: Experiences of medical mistrust and mistreatment are common and are associated with increased likelihood of considering SMA. Those who identified with a structurally minoritized group were more likely to consider SMA, and those whose "street race" was Arab/Middle Eastern had the highest likelihood.

Implications: If restrictions on abortion continue to increase, individuals may further consider SMA. Our findings suggest a need to create healthcare environments that foster trust and respect, as well as to ensure people have access to safe options for SMA.

Keywords: Abortion access; Medical mistreatment; Medical mistrust; Self-managed abortion.