Women's Preferences for the Location of Abortion Services: A Pilot Study in Two Chicago Clinics

Between July and December 2006, 209 women at a university-based primary care center and a freestanding abortion clinic completed a verbally administered questionnaire in which they were asked their preference for the location of early abortion services. Sixty women seeking primary care services at the university-based clinic and 149 women seeking first-trimester abortion services at an abortion clinic completed the questionnaire. Sixty-seven percent (67%) of women surveyed at the university-based primary care facility and 69% at the abortion clinic indicated a preference for abortion services from their regular health care provider. A statistically significant association (P = 0.002) was found between comfort speaking with a regular health care provider about pregnancy prevention and preference for the provision of abortion services from a regular health care provider. Women may feel more comfortable undergoing an early abortion procedure with a provider with whom they have an established relationship. The integration of early abortion services into primary care practice may increase continuity of care among women seeking an abortion.