O7 The role of complexity and ambiguity in shaping abortion attitudes

The Impact of First-Person Abortion Stories on Community-Level Abortion Stigma: A Randomized Trial

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to assess the impact of first-person abortion stories on community-level abortion stigma.

METHODS

Between November 2018 and March 2019, we recruited participants and analyzed data from a nationally representative, probability-based online panel of U.S. adults, randomized to watch three first-person abortion video stories (intervention, n = 460) or three nature videos (control, n = 426). We measured community-level abortion stigma using the Community Abortion Attitudes Scale, Reproductive Experiences and Events Scale, and Community Level Abortion Stigma Scale at baseline, immediately after video exposure, and 3 months later. We dichotomized stigma change scores as decreased stigma compared with no change or increased stigma. Bivariate and logistic regression analysis accounted for complex survey methodology and sample weighting.

RESULTS

Sample demographics reflected U.S. Census benchmarks (51% female, 68% White, 47% aged 18-44 years). Most participants (83.1%) completed the 3-month follow-up. Viewing the intervention videos was not associated with decreased stigma measured by Community Abortion Attitudes Scale or Community Level Abortion Stigma Scale immediately (odds ratio [OR], 0.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59-1.09; OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 0.93-1.75) or at the 3-month follow-up (OR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.62-1.19; OR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.70-1.37). Intervention exposure was associated with decreased stigma as measured by Reproductive Experiences and Events Scale immediately (OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.23-2.46); however, this association was not observed at the 3-month follow-up (OR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.70-1.37).

CONCLUSIONS

Exposure to first-person video stories may not decrease community-level abortion stigma among U.S. adults.