MEDICAL ABORTION OR VACUUM ASPIRATION - 2-YEAR FOLLOW-UP OF A PATIENTPREFERENCE TRIAL

Objective To describe and compare health outcomes two years after medi cal abortion or vacuum aspiration in women recruited into a patient pr eference trial during 1990 to 1991. Design Women recruited to the orig inal, partially randomised study were contacted for assessment using a structured interview. Setting Grampian region of Scotland, UK. Partic ipants One hundred and forty women who had participated in a partially randomised study Of first trimester abortion two years previously. In tervention Vacuum aspiration or medical abortion using mifepristone an d gemeprost. Main outcome measures Long-term general, reproductive and psychological health; acceptability of procedure; perceived value of choice of method of termination. Results There were no significant dif ferences between women who had undergone medical abortion or vacuum as piration two years previously in general, reproductive or psychologica l health. Almost all women placed a high value on the provision of cho ice of method of termination. There was a significant difference in pe rception of long term procedure acceptability among women who had been randomised to a method of termination. Conclusions Women should have the opportunity to choose the method of termination. This opportunity will result in high levels of acceptability, particularly at gestation s under 50 days of amenorrhoea.