Partner and family violence and elective abortion

Patrizia Romito, University of Trieste
Laura Pomicino, University of Trieste
Vicenta Escribà-Agüir, Valencian School for Health Studies (EVES).”Generalitat Valenciana”, Spain.
Federica Scrimin, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo
Chiara Lucchetta, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo
Janet M. Turan, University of California, San Francisco

Objectives. To analyze the role of family and partner violence among women seeking an Elective Abortion (EA). Methods. An case-control study was carried out in the Trieste Hospital, including all consecutive EAs (445) and live births (438). With an anonymous questionnaire, we collected information on current and past violence (psychological, physical and sexual). Results. Compared to post-partum women, EA women were significantly more likely to report any type of current and past violence. Among women younger than 30 years old, adjusting for relevant social factors, partner psychological violence and family violence were strongly associated with EA, while among women 30 years old or older there was no association with partner and family violence. Conclusion. These results highlight the role of violence in the lives of women, especially younger women, seeking an abortion. Professionals should be able to recognize violence among women seeking an EA and to support them.