@article{ref1,
title="Intimate partner violence and reproductive health among methamphetamine-using women in Los Angeles: a qualitative pilot study",
journal="Journal of psychoactive drugs",
year="2014",
author="Abdul-Khabir, Wajidah and Hall, Timothy and Swanson, Aimee-Noelle and Shoptaw, Steven",
volume="46",
number="4",
pages="310-316",
abstract="Among women, methamphetamine (meth) use has been associated with intimate partner violence (IPV); however, few studies have looked at the context of IPV. This qualitative pilot study explored the experiences of meth-using women in Los Angeles County regarding: (1) IPV in their most recent primary relationship; (2) use of contraception and reproductive health services; and (3) meth use during pregnancy. Participants (n=30) were recruited through community advertising and at three addiction treatment centers to participate in 15-20 minute, semi-structured interviews recorded with handwritten transcripts. The team analyzed transcripts for key themes. Participants reported IPV (n=19, 63%) as recipients (50%), perpetrators (40%), and/or both (27%), occurring mainly during active meth use or withdrawal. While most (n=25) continued meth use during at least one pregnancy, some (n=5, 17%) identified pregnancy as a motivation to quit or reduce use, suggesting an opportunity for intervention. Though most women knew about free and low-cost reproductive health services, few accessed them, with 33% citing aspects of meth use itself as a barrier. One-third (45/133) of reported pregnancies were terminated by abortion. Most women (67%) began using before age 18, suggesting need for screening and intervention among adolescents.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0279-1072",
doi="10.1080/02791072.2014.934978",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2014.934978"
}