title: Domestic violence as risk factor for unwanted pregnancy and induced abortion in Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare pregnancy intention and domestic violence among women with induced and spontaneous abortion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case-control study in Mulago Hospital, Uganda, from September 2003 to June 2004 of 942 women seeking post-abortion care. Direct inquiry, records review and clinical examination identified 333 with induced abortion (cases) and 609 with spontaneous abortion (controls), who were compared regarding socio-demographic characteristics, contraceptive use, domicile (rural or urban, nuclear or extended families), pregnancy intention, household decision-making and domestic violence. Data was analysed with EPI-INFO and STATA, using Student t-test and analysis of variance for continuous and chi-square for categorical variables. Stratified and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to adjust for confounding and interaction at the 95% confidence level.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cases significantly differed from controls as they were younger or more often single; had lower parity and education, less household decision-making and fewer living children. They were similar to controls (P > 0.05) regarding employment, spouse's age, years spent in marital relationship and domicile. Cases more frequently (P < 0.001) had mistimed, unplanned or unwanted pregnancy at conception and presentation. Cases were more likely to have a recent history of domestic violence (physical, sexual or psychological) [OR: 18.7 (95%CI: 11.2-31.0)] after adjusting for age, pregnancy intention and marital status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Domestic violence is a risk factor for unwanted pregnancy and induced abortion among women seeking post-abortion care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Makerere University Medical School, Kampala, Uganda. dankkaye@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Dan K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Kaye
authors.forename: Florence M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Mirembe
authors.forename: Grace
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bantebya
authors.forename: Annika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Johansson
authors.forename: Anna Mia
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ekstrom
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017579:Domestic Violence; D004522:Educational Status; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011275:Pregnancy, Unwanted; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014454:Uganda / Q000453:epidemiology