KNOWLEDGE OF MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS AMONG TRADITIONAL MEDICATION ABORTION PATIENTS

Abstract

Objectives

We aimed to evaluate patients’ immediate recall of medication abortion administration instructions.

Methods

This is a descriptive analysis of one cohort in a prospective non-inferiority study. We surveyed a convenience sample of medication abortion patients immediately after their appointment in Honolulu, HI between April 2023 and March 2024. Surveys assessed knowledge of medication abortion indications/contraindications, administration, and side effects/precautions, as well as their confidence in correctly completing the regimen. Incidentally, the clinic modified its written instructions for readability approximately halfway through recruitment; we compared outcomes before and after modification.

Results

We surveyed 100 patients. Mean age was 27.9 years (SD, 6.6). Thirty-two (32%) had undergone a medication abortion before. On average, patients correctly answered 79% (SD, 18%) of questions about medication abortion indications/contraindications, 97% (SD, 8.3%) of questions about medication regimen administration, and 93% (SD, 11%) of questions about side effects/precautions; the overall average number of correct answers for all questions was 90% (SD, 7.7%). Patients were completely or quite confident they could independently complete the process (n=95, 95%), teach a friend how to complete the process (n=86, 86%), recognize side effects (n=84, 84%), and seek emergency help when needed (n=95, 95%). Patient age, history of medication abortion, and the new medication abortion instructions were not associated with more accurate recall or higher confidence.

Conclusions

These findings may be a foundation for future studies that seek to compare the medication abortion knowledge and confidence of patients who pursue medication abortion outside of the clinic setting, such as advance provision or self-managed abortion, with that of traditional patients.