Table 4.
Physical experiences and health-care seeking during self-managed medication abortion
| Total | ||
|---|---|---|
| n | % | |
| Side effects | n = 181 | |
| Nausea | 111 | 61.3 |
| Any fever, for any duration | 110 | 60.1 |
| Diarrhea | 90 | 49.7 |
| Vomiting | 61 | 33.7 |
| Dizziness | 7 | 3.9 |
| Signs of potential allergic reaction | n = 181 | |
| Itchiness | 15 | 8.3 |
| Difficulty breathing | 2 | 1.1 |
| Sweaty hands | 1 | 0.6 |
| Face numbness | 1 | 0.6 |
| Warning signs of complications | n = 181 | |
| Foul smelling discharge | 9 | 5.0 |
| Bleeding 2 + hours | 8 | 4.4 |
| Pain that does not go away | 7 | 4.1 |
| Fever over 24 h | 1 | 0.6 |
| Pain management method | n = 181 | |
| Pain medications | 118 | 65.2 |
| Distraction | 18 | 9.9 |
| Massage/hot water | 10 | 5.5 |
| Sought health care at a facility for any reason | n = 181 | |
| Yes | 60 | 33.1 |
| No | 114 | 63.0 |
| Missing | 7 | 3.9 |
| Reason for seeking care | n = 60 | |
| Confirm abortion | 40 | 66.7 |
| Symptoms/side effects (pain, fainting, bleeding) | 5 | 8.3 |
| Missing | 15 | 25.0 |
| Treatment received (select all) | n = 60 | |
| Observation/confirmation of termination | 50 | 83.3 |
| Medications/tablets | 5 | 8.3 |
| Surgical intervention | 3 | 5.0 |
| Antibiotics | 2 | 3.3 |
| Disclosed to provider about abortion? | n = 60 | |
| Yes | 18 | 30.0 |
| No | 39 | 65.0 |
| Missing | 3 | 5.0 |
Data reported by participants at 1-week and 3-weeks following self-managed medication abortion with accompaniment support in Southeast Asia, South America and West Africa