PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Bowler, Sally AU - Vallury, Kari AU - Sofija, Ernesta TI - Understanding the experiences and needs of LGBTIQA+ individuals when accessing abortion care and pregnancy options counselling: a scoping review AID - 10.1136/bmjsrh-2022-201692 DP - 2023 Jul 01 TA - BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health PG - 192--200 VI - 49 IP - 3 4099 - http://jfprhc.bmj.com/content/49/3/192.short 4100 - http://jfprhc.bmj.com/content/49/3/192.full SO - BMJ Sex Reprod Health2023 Jul 01; 49 AB - Background Safe, accessible, and inclusive abortion care and pregnancy options counselling are essential components of sexual and reproductive health and rights. Research has documented LGBTIQA+ people are as likely, or more than likely, as the general population to experience an abortion in their lifetime yet face significant barriers to accessing abortion and related care, which undermines well-being.Aims The present study undertakes a scoping review of research on the needs and experiences of the LGBTIQA+ population (representing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender diverse, intersex, queer, asexual, and questioning) when accessing abortion care, pregnancy options, and post-abortion counselling to support improved understanding of pregnant people’s preferences, needs, and experiences.Methods The reporting of this scoping review is guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension of Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Academic databases were searched using terms relating to gender identity and sexuality, abortion, pregnancy options, and post-abortion counselling to identify peer reviewed papers published in English. Seven publications were included in the review that described experiences of LGBTIQA+ people accessing abortion-related care.Results The included studies were predominantly conducted in the USA using quantitative and qualitative research designs. Thematic analysis highlighted participants’ experiences of discrimination and exclusion in healthcare settings, healthcare avoidance, unsafe abortion, non-disclosure to providers, and poor health outcomes for LGBTIQA+ people.Conclusions Gender-inclusive services and training for health providers is necessary to provide safe and accessible abortion care and overcome generations of mistrust held by the LGBTIQA+ community. Research into the needs of LGBTIQA+ people when accessing pregnancy options counselling is critically needed.All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplementary information. Not applicable.