Citation

Blaney CL. Network 1998; 18(4): 15-18.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, Library and Information Science Division of the World Information Systems Exchange)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

12294401

Abstract

In population-based studies in both developed and developing countries, 20-50% of ever-married women have reported a history of domestic violence. Abused women have urgent needs for medical, psychological, and reproductive health care. Family planning providers are well placed to intervene because they come into contact with women during their reproductive years--the time of highest risk for domestic violence. Awareness of the impact of gender-based power imbalances on women's reproductive health is critical. A lack of sensitivity to the fact that many women cannot control when they have sex can lead to inappropriate contraceptive counseling and method selection. Fear of violence further makes women unable to insist on condom use and thus protect themselves from sexually transmitted diseases. Emergency contraception is a pressing need for many battered women. Screening for violence, development of referral networks of legal and other resources, treatment tailored to a victim's needs, and involvement of men in family planning (if it will not compromise women's safety) all facilitate the provision of quality reproductive health care to abused women. Training about domestic violence should be integrated into existing provider training programs rather than presented as an isolated issue.

Language: en