Abstract
Objective
We examined if abortion-related knowledge among women with criminal legal system involvement
differed in three U.S. cities in states with varying abortion policies.
Study Design
Respondents were self-identified women with criminal legal system involvement. Data
come from a cross-sectional baseline survey of 381 women in three U.S. cities: Oakland,
California, Kansas City, Kansas/Missouri, and Birmingham, Alabama. The primary outcome,
high abortion-related knowledge, was based on a 10-item scale dichotomized into low
vs high abortion-related knowledge. We used descriptive statistics, bivariable associations,
and logistic regression to assess the association between high abortion-related knowledge,
city of residence, and other possible related factors.
Results
Respondents in Kansas City, KS/MO and Birmingham, AL had lower odds of high abortion-related
knowledge compared to respondents in Oakland, CA (OR: 0.19, 95% CI: 0.10–0.38 and
OR: 0.17, 95% CI: 0.11–0.28, respectively). In adjusted analysis, the association
remained after controlling for race/ethnicity, insurance status, and community supervision
past year.
Conclusions
Findings underscore the need for communicating clear and accurate information about
abortion care, especially in states where laws and ongoing political challenges make
it difficult to access both reliable information and services.
Implications
Efforts to disseminate accurate information regarding abortion care, particularly
among marginalized people, should utilize multiple venues in addition to traditional
healthcare information sources. Reproductive justice advocates should connect with
jails and probation offices to reach people with criminal legal system involvement
and foster increased knowledge of reproductive rights and services.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 27, 2021
Accepted:
August 20,
2021
Received in revised form:
August 19,
2021
Received:
March 17,
2021
Identification
Copyright
© 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
