Seeking abortion medications online: experiences from a mystery client study in Colombia.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

While Colombians gained broad legal access to abortion in 2022, people still lack knowledge about its availability and face variable quality of care at health facilities. This study sought to understand whether online sellers provide the instructions and medication dosages necessary for effective medication abortions.

Design

The study design involved mystery clients contacting sellers identified across websites and social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok) to purchase abortion pills. Unique sellers were contacted with two profiles (first and second trimester pregnancy gestational ages). Mystery clients documented information received on physical effects, complications and how to take the pills from the sellers in a predesigned survey in SurveyCTO.

SUBMITTER: Arango DA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11752010 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature