In this section we describe Gynuity's projects related to policy work and attitudinal studies:

Demystifying the Phenomenon of Self-induced Abortion with Misoprostol in the U.S.

Service providers, community-based organizations and women’s health and rights advocates in the U.S. have become increasingly aware of the use of misoprostol to self-induce abortion. While little research exists about this practice, anecdotal reports suggest that immigrant and U.S.-born Latinas and other marginalized communities are using misoprostol in this way. In several recent cases, serious legal charges were brought against women who self-induced their abortions. It is critical that physicians and advocates understand the factors contributing to self-medication with misoprostol in order to provide better care.

Gynuity is collaborating with Ibis Reproductive Health on a research project to understand better the phenomenon of abortion self-induction in three U.S. cities with large immigrant populations: the San Francisco Bay Area, Boston and New York. Women in primary care clinics in each city will be recruited to participate in a survey in which we will measure the prevalence of attempted self-induction and the agents used, and assess knowledge about self-induction and about abortion laws and services. In-depth interviews will be conducted with a smaller group of women that have reported personal experience with misoprostol. Our goals are to understand better and address the needs of Latina immigrants and prepare providers and advocates to respond. Gynuity is part of a multidisciplinary research and education initiative formed with the Abortion Access Project, Ibis Reproductive Health and the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health to examine this issue.

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Advocacy Project to Defend Medical Abortion in the U.S.

Gynuity has expanded its activities to preserve, protect, and defend the availability of mifepristone in the United States thanks to the support of the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund. Four years ago, after nearly a decade of waiting, women in the United States at long last had the option to choose between medical abortion, which relies on two drugs (mifepristone and misoprostol), and traditional surgery to terminate early pregnancy. Despite the proven safety and popularity of medical abortion with mifepristone, access to it continues to be threatened. Most recently, two new pieces of legislation were introduced to Congress aimed first at further restricting the provision of medical abortion with mifepristone, and second, at removing mifepristone from the market altogether.

Our multi-pronged strategy includes:

>	Compiling accurate, up-to-date, and complete information on medical abortion and disseminating it to health care professionals, researchers, advocacy groups and the general public;
>	Advocating for the continued availability of medical abortion through consensus-building among key players in the field;
>	Collaborating with other agencies to provide accurate information to policymakers and legislators and to help them understand the issues raised by proposed legislation; and
>	Convening an annual meeting on mifepristone, to facilitate information sharing and strategies and to inspire continued growth in the field.

As part of this project, Gynuity is collaborating with Reproductive Health Technologies Project (RHTP) to monitor policy and the political climate in this area and develop informational resources on medical abortion. This work is meant to complement our existing activities focused on improving medical abortion provision, on putting the control of medical abortion procedures in the hands of women themselves, and on expanding access to the technology worldwide.

For more information about this project please contact Ilana Dzuba (idzuba@gynuity.org).

Download "Medical abortion in the U.S.: Mifepristone fact sheet"

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Assessing Reproductive Health Providers' Perceptions, Knowledge and Experiences with Abortion

The hardware of technology cannot alone make medical advances accessible and user-friendly. In order to improve women’s health through introduction of new medicines or devices, it is necessary also to understand the political, social, and historical context into which new technology may fit. Research that illuminates the attitudes of health care providers and their patients can aid program and policymakers in adapting technology and service delivery in the most sensible ways. Services can then be developed in accordance with principles of cost-saving, respect for women, and individual choice and autonomy. Analyses of past experiences surrounding the adoption of new technologies can provide valuable lessons for the future.

Gynuity Health Projects has undertaken an ambitious project in collaboration with International Planned Parenthood’s Western Hemisphere Region (IPPF/WHR) to understand the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding abortion and abortion technology of all staff and board members in local affiliates in 22 countries. This information will inform programming and policy at the local and regional level.

For more information about this project please contact Melanie Peña (mpena@gynuity.org).

Download "Assessing Reproductive Health Providers' Perceptions, Knowledge and Experiences with Abortion" in PDF

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