@article{ref1,
title="The association between intimate partner violence and recent self-managed abortion in India",
journal="AJOG global reports",
year="2021",
author="Goemans, Sophie L. and Singh, Abhishek and Yadav, Ajit Kumar and McDougal, Lotus and Raj, Anita and Averbach, Sarah H.",
volume="1",
number="4",
pages="e100029-e100029",
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. <br><br>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. <br><br>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). <br><br>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.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2666-5778",
doi="10.1016/j.xagr.2021.100029",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.xagr.2021.100029"
}