Citation

Salazar M, Valladares E, Hogberg U. J. Fam. Plann. Reprod. Health Care 2012; 38(4): 221-228.

Affiliation

Researcher, Center for Demography and Health Research, Nicaraguan National Autonomous University, León, Nicaragua and Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Publisher BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/jfprhc-2011-000043

PMID

22167533

Abstract

Background and methodologyThe study aim was to examine whether exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) was associated with reversible contraceptive use in ever-pregnant partnered women. The authors conducted a longitudinal panel study in León municipality, Nicaragua. At baseline (2002-2003), 478 pregnant women were interviewed and 398 were available for questioning about contraceptive use 40-47 months after childbirth. IPV was assessed at baseline and follow-up, with women classified as never abused, ending abuse, continued abuse or new abuse. Reversible contraceptive use was defined as women using any form of contraception apart from sterilisation. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) were used to assess the association between reversible contraceptive use, IPV patterns and IPV exposures at follow-up.ResultsEighty percent of the women were not pregnant and with a partner at follow-up. Half were using reversible contraceptives and 28% were sterilised. Women exposed to a continued abuse pattern (AOR 2.50, 95% CI 1.04-5.99), and those exposed to emotional (AOR 2.80, 95% CI 1.32-5.95), physical (AOR 3.60, 95% CI 1.15-11.10) or any IPV at follow-up (AOR 2.59, 95% CI 1.24-5.40) had higher odds of reversible contraceptive use than those not exposed, even after adjusting for demographic factors. No significant differences in the type of reversible contraceptive used were found between women exposed or not to IPV.Discussion and conclusionsIPV exposure was associated with more reversible contraceptive use. Abuse inquiring at health facilities providing contraceptives should be implemented to identify women exposed to IPV and provide adequate support.

Language: en