The Effects of Gender-based Violence on Women's Unwanted Pregnancy and Abortion

Overview

Journal Yale J Biol Med

Specialty Biology

Date 2016 Jun 30

PMID 27354842

Citations 2

Authors

Laura A McCloskey

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The aim of this research is to understand how gender-based violence across the life-course affects the likelihood of abortion. Women outpatients (n = 309) revealed their exposure to four different forms of gender-based abuse: child sexual abuse (25.7 percent), teenage physical dating violence (40.8 percent), intimate partner violence (43.1 percent), and sexual assault outside an intimate relationship (22 percent). Logistic regressions revealed that no single form of gender-based abuse predicted abortion. The cumulative effect of multiple forms of abuse did increase the odds of having an abortion (OR = 1.39, CI = 1.13-1.69). Child sexual abuse predicted intimate partner violence (OR = 6.71, CI = 3.36-13.41). The cumulative effect of gender-based violence on women's reproductive health warrants further research. Priority should be given to screening for multiple forms of victimization in reproductive healthcare settings.

Citing Articles

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Lausi G, Burrai J, Baldi M, Ferlazzo F, Ferracuti S, Giannini A Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023; 20(10).

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Men's conceptualization of gender-based violence directed to women in Alexandra Township, Johannesburg, South Africa.

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