Citation

Pallitto CC, Garcia-Moreno C, Jansen HAFM, Heise L, Ellsberg MC, Watts CH. Int. J. Gynaecol. Obstet. 2013; 120(1): 3-9.

Affiliation

World Health Organization, Department of Reproductive Health and Research, Geneva, Switzerland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ijgo.2012.07.003

PMID

22959631

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.

Language: en