The medical abortion experiences of married and unmarried women in Tunis, Tunisia.

CONTEXT: The study explores the social dimensions of abortion in Tunisia and offers evidence supporting the provision of medical abortion to special populations, such as young and unmarried women.

METHODS

For this study we recruited 222 women (unmarried: n = 101, married: n = 121) at three clinics in Tunis, Tunisia, from April 1999 to March 2001. All eligible women who consented to participate were administered a simplified regimen of medical abortion consisting of 200 mg oral mifepristone + 400 microg oral misoprostol 2 days later either at home or in the clinic.

RESULTS

Our results demonstrate that unmarried women (94.8%) are as likely as married women (94.1%) to have a successful abortion using this regimen. We noted a strong initial preference for home administration of misoprostol among both groups (unmarried: 73.3%, married: 80.2%), which grew even stronger after the procedure. Women indicated that home administration is desirable because transportation to the clinic is expensive (32.7%), home administration is more confidential (26.3%), easier and more convenient (12.8%). Both groups expressed a high degree of satisfaction with the method.

CONCLUSIONS

Medical abortion with the option of home administration of misoprostol is safe and feasible for special populations; such as unmarried women in Tunisia.