Experiences of women living in Hungary seeking a medical abortion online.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to analyse the characteristics and experiences of women living in Hungary who accessed a medical abortion through the telemedical service Women on Web.

METHODS

We examined the characteristics and experiences of 136 women who requested a medical abortion from Women on Web between June 2013 and February 2017. The main outcome measures were acceptability and satisfaction with the service.

RESULTS

Of the 136 women who completed an online consultation, 118 requested a medical abortion package. Follow-up information was provided by 73 women (61.9%), of whom 49 completed the follow-up survey and 24 provided follow-up information via email. Of the 59 women who went ahead with a medical abortion, five (8.5%) had a surgical intervention afterwards. All women who completed the follow-up survey reported that they found a home medical abortion to be acceptable.

CONCLUSION

The lack of availability of medical abortion in the public health sector in Hungary and compulsory biased counselling make medical abortion at home through telemedicine a good alternative for Hungarian women.