Experiences of women living in Hungary seeking a medical abortion online

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to analyse the characteristics and experiences of women living in Hungary who accessed a medical abortion through the telemedical service Women on Web.

Methods: We examined the characteristics and experiences of 136 women who requested a medical abortion from Women on Web between June 2013 and February 2017. The main outcome measures were acceptability and satisfaction with the service.

Results: Of the 136 women who completed an online consultation, 118 requested a medical abortion package. Follow-up information was provided by 73 women (61.9%), of whom 49 completed the follow-up survey and 24 provided follow-up information via email. Of the 59 women who went ahead with a medical abortion, five (8.5%) had a surgical intervention afterwards. All women who completed the follow-up survey reported that they found a home medical abortion to be acceptable.

Conclusion: The lack of availability of medical abortion in the public health sector in Hungary and compulsory biased counselling make medical abortion at home through telemedicine a good alternative for Hungarian women.

Keywords: Abortion; Hungary; abortion policy; medical abortion; pregnancy termination.