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. 2021 Nov;1(4):100029.
doi: 10.1016/j.xagr.2021.100029. Epub 2021 Oct 19.

The association between intimate partner violence and recent self-managed abortion in India

Sophie L Goemans  1 , Abhishek Singh  2 , Ajit Kumar Yadav  3 , Lotus McDougal  4 , Anita Raj  5 , Sarah H Averbach  6
Affiliations

The association between intimate partner violence and recent self-managed abortion in India

Sophie L Goemans et al. AJOG Glob Rep. 2021 Nov.

Abstract

Background: Previous studies have shown that women who experience intimate partner violence have higher rates of unintended pregnancy and abortion-but whether there are differences between the types of abortion care accessed is unknown. Understanding the predictors of self-managed abortion is important for providing risk-mitigating information and resources to those at highest risk for unintended pregnancy and intimate partner violence. With access to information and medication abortion drugs, it is possible that self-managed abortion can be performed safely, increasing reproductive autonomy for women.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association between experiencing intimate partner violence and using self-managed abortion.

Study design: This is a cross-sectional analysis of responses of 57,090 married women to the National Family Health Survey-4 conducted across India from 2015 to 2016. The association between the type of intimate partner violence and self-managed abortion was analyzed using multivariable multinomial logistic regression.

Results: Women who have ever experienced physical intimate partner violence were more likely to have any abortion (adjusted relative risk=1.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-2.0) and use self-managed abortion (adjusted relative risk=1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-2.6) than women who have not experienced physical intimate partner violence. Women who have ever experienced sexual intimate partner violence may have been more likely to use self-managed abortion, though this association was not statistically significant (adjusted relative risk=2.7; 95% confidence interval, 0.7-10.4).

Conclusion: Women who have experienced physical intimate partner violence disproportionately use abortion care, both facility-based and self-managed. Women who have experienced sexual intimate partner violence may also be more likely to use self-managed abortion. Although abortion is legal, self-managed abortion is commonly occurring in India. Self-managed abortion represents an additional choice and enhances reproductive autonomy in settings where abortion is legal. The implementation of risk-mitigation resources and policies regarding self-managed abortion would provide protection and enhanced autonomy to susceptible groups across India.

Keywords: National Family Health Survey; autonomy; clinician-managed abortion; gender-based violence; intimate partner violence; physical violence; reproductive; self-use abortion; sexual violence.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure
Figure
Flowchart of analyzed sample population IPV, intimate partner violence; NFHS, National Family Health Survey.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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