Association between intimate partner violence and induced abortion in Cameroon

Type Journal Article - International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics
Title Association between intimate partner violence and induced abortion in Cameroon
Author(s)
Volume 112
Issue 2
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2011
Page numbers 83-87
URL http://www.popline.org/node/214495
Abstract
Objective
To examine the association between intimate partner violence (IPV; physical, sexual, and emotional violence) and induced abortion in Cameroon.
Methods
We used data from the 2004 Cameroon Demographic Health Survey (DHS) and hierarchic multivariate modeling to compare the rates of induced abortion by IPV type.
Results
In 2004, 2570 women were administered the domestic violence module of the DHS. Of those women, 126 (4.9%) reported having had at least 1 induced abortion. Cameroonian women reported high rates of IPV: physical violence (995 [38.7%]); emotional violence (789 [30.7%]); and sexual violence (381 [14.8%]). After adjusting for covariates, physical and sexual IPV increased the risk for induced abortion, whereas the association between emotional violence and induced abortion was not significant in multivariate models.
Conclusion
Given the increased risk for maternal morbidity and mortality following unsafe induced abortions in Cameroon, the association between induced abortion and IPV is of interest in terms of public health. Programs targeted at preventing IPV might reduce the rate of maternal morbidity and mortality.
Keywords: Cameroon; Hierarchic modeling; Induced abortion; Intimate partner violence

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