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- Title
Intimate partner violence, abortion, and unintended pregnancy: Results from the WHO Multi-country Study on Women's Health and Domestic Violence
- Authors
Pallitto, Christina C.; García‐Moreno, Claudia; Jansen, Henrica A.F.M.; Heise, Lori; Ellsberg, Mary; Watts, Charlotte
- Abstract
Abstract: Objective: To explore how intimate partner violence (IPV) is associated with unintended pregnancy and abortion in primarily low- and middle-income countries. Methods: Population data are presented from 17 518 ever-partnered women participating in the WHO Multi-country Study on Women''s Health and Domestic Violence in 15 sites in 10 countries. Using multiple logistic regression analyses, associations between physical and/or sexual partner violence and abortion and unintended pregnancy were explored. Results: Women with a history of IPV had significantly higher odds of unintended pregnancy in 8 of 14 sites and of abortion in 12 of 15 sites. Pooled estimates showed increased odds of unintended pregnancy (adjusted OR 1.69; 95% CI, 1.53–1.86) and abortion (adjusted OR 2.68; 95% CI, 2.34–3.06), after adjusting for confounding factors. Reducing IPV by 50% could potentially reduce unintended pregnancy by 2%–18% and abortion by 4.5%–40%, according to population-attributable risk estimates. Conclusion: IPV is a consistent and strong risk factor for unintended pregnancy and abortion across a variety of settings. Unintended pregnancy terminated through unsafe abortion can result in death or serious complications. Therefore, reducing IPV can significantly reduce risks to maternal and reproductive health.
- Subjects
INTIMATE partner violence; ABORTION; UNWANTED pregnancy; WORLD Health Organization; WOMEN'S health; DOMESTIC violence
- Publication
International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 2013, Vol 120, Issue 1, p3
- ISSN
0020-7292
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1016/j.ijgo.2012.07.003