Contraception, reproductive health and pregnancy outcomes among women exposed to intimate partner violence in Nigeria
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Date
2011
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care
Abstract
To examine the association between reproductive health practices/outcomes
and exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) among women in Nigeria. More specifically,
the association between IPV and use of contraception; miscarriages, induced abortions,
stillbirths, and infant mortality; and having many children, was assessed.
Methods Data on studied variables were retrieved from the Demographic and Health
Surveys of Nigeria 2008, a nationally representative sample of 33,385 women of reproductive
age. IPV was defined as exposure to physical, sexual or emotional abuse. The association
between contraception use, pregnancy outcomes and infant mortality, and exposure to IPV
was assessed using the chi-square test for unadjusted analyses. To control for potential
confounding, socio-demographic variables were adjusted for using multiple logistic
regression.
Results Compared with women not exposed to IPV, those who were, exhibited a higher
likelihood of using modern forms of contraception; having a history of miscarriages, induced
abortions, stillbirths, or infant mortality; and having many children. The aforementioned
observations still stood after adjustment for potential confounders (e.g., demographic and
socioeconomic factors).
Conclusion Though causal inference cannot be drawn due to the cross-sectional design,
the study has important implications for incorporation of IPV detection and management in
initiatives aimed at improving women’s reproductive health.
Description
Keywords
Intimate partner violence, Contraception, Reproductive health outcomes, Nigeria
Citation
Okenwa, L., Lawoko, S., & Jansson, B. (2011). Contraception, reproductive health and pregnancy outcomes among women exposed to intimate partner violence in Nigeria. The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care, 16(1), 18-25. DOI: 10.3109/13625187.2010.534515