Researchers did this study to determine the main reasons for the TOP requests in a UK city. Researchers administered a survey requesting grounds for a pregnancy termination from women attending a TOP clinic.
Researchers collected data from a top pre-assessment clinic in Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals. They distributed a confidential, anonymous, self-administered questionnaire requesting demographic information about age, education, ethnicity, and marital status. The primary outcome measures were reasons for TOP recommendations and correlations between the reasons provided and demographic characteristics.
A total of 274 women participated in the study, and respondents gave 527 reasons were given. The most common cause was money worries, followed closely by contraception failure. The third most common reason was the anticipated effect on education or the woman’s career. Over half of the women were single, and 8.8% were divorced or separated.
The study concluded that the main reasons for TOP requests included financial constraints, contraceptive failure, completion of family, and potential interruption of education or career. Focused qualitative research on reasons for a TOP will provide further knowledge and understanding needed to enable optimal service provision and policy planning.
Reference: https://srh.bmj.com/content/41/3/186
