Predicting poor compliance with follow-up and intrauterine contraception services after medical termination of pregnancy

Background Attendance at post-abortion follow-up visits is poor, but little is known about factors affecting it. Objective To assess the factors associated with non-compliance with post-abortion services and to evaluate differences in rates of attendance and intrauterine device (IUD) insertion according to the type of service provision. Methods 605 women undergoing a first trimester medical termination of pregnancy (MTOP) and planning to use intrauterine contraception were randomised into two groups. Women in the intervention group (n=306) were booked to have IUD insertion 1-4 weeks after the MTOP at the hospital providing the abortion, while women in the control group (n=299) were advised to contact their primary healthcare (PHC) centre for follow-up and IUD insertion. Results In the intervention group, 21 (6.9%) women failed to attend the fol low-up visit, whereas in the control group 67 (22.4%) women did not contact the PHC to schedule a follow-up (p Conclusions Factors predicting low compliance with post-MTOP fol low-up are few. Comprehensive provision of abortion care and post-abortion services seems beneficial for minimising the loss to fol low-up and delay in initiation of effective contraception.Peer reviewe