Abortion misinformation from crisis pregnancy centers in North Carolina

Abstract Background This study assessed the accuracy of medical information provided by crisis pregnancy centers in North Carolina. Study Design We performed a secondary data analysis of a “secret shopper survey” performed by a nonprofit organization. Reports from phone calls and visits to crisis pr...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Contraception (Stoneham) 2012-12, Vol.86 (6), p.752-756
Main Authors: Bryant, Amy G, Levi, Erika E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abortion
Abortion, Induced - adverse effects
Abortion, Induced - education
Ambulatory Care Facilities - ethics
Ambulatory Care Facilities - manpower
Biological and medical sciences
Birth control
Communication
Crisis Intervention - ethics
Crisis Intervention - manpower
Crisis pregnancy centers
Deception
Decision Making
Female
Genital system. Reproduction
Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics
Health Care Surveys
Humans
Induced abortion. Therapeutic abortion
Maternal Health Services - ethics
Maternal Health Services - manpower
Medical sciences
Mystery shopper study
North Carolina
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Patient Education as Topic - ethics
Patient Education as Topic - manpower
Patient Rights
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Pregnancy
Professional-Patient Relations - ethics
Stress, Psychological - etiology
Women's Rights
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Abstract Background This study assessed the accuracy of medical information provided by crisis pregnancy centers in North Carolina. Study Design We performed a secondary data analysis of a “secret shopper survey” performed by a nonprofit organization. Reports from phone calls and visits to crisis pregnancy centers were analyzed for quality and content of medical information provided. Web sites of crisis pregnancy centers in the state were also reviewed. Results Thirty-two crisis pregnancy centers were contacted. Nineteen of these were visited. Fourteen centers (44%) offered that they “provide counseling on abortion and its risks.” Inaccurate information provided included a link between abortion and breast cancer (16%), infertility (26%) and mental health problems (26%). Of the 36 Web sites identified, 31 (86%) provided false or misleading information, including 26 sites (72%) linking abortion to “post-abortion stress.” Conclusions Many crisis pregnancy centers give inaccurate medical information regarding the risks of abortion. Overstating risks stigmatizes abortion, seeks to intimidate women and is unethical.
ISSN:0010-7824
1879-0518
DOI:10.1016/j.contraception.2012.06.001