Reproductive coercion and co-occurring intimate partner violence in obstetrics and gynecology patients.
OBJECTIVE
Reproductive coercion is male behavior to control contraception and pregnancy outcomes of female partners. We examined the prevalence of reproductive coercion and co-occurring intimate partner violence among women presenting for routine care at a large, urban obstetrics and gynecology clinic.


METHODS
Women aged 18-44 years completed a self-administered, anonymous survey. Reproductive coercion was defined as a positive response to at least 1 of 14 questions derived from previously published studies. Women who experienced reproductive coercion were also assessed for intimate partner violence in the relationship where reproductive coercion occurred.


RESULTS
Of 641 women who completed the survey, 16% reported reproductive coercion currently or in the past. Among women who experienced reproductive coercion, 32% reported that intimate partner violence occurred in the same relationship. Single women were more likely to experience reproductive coercion as well as co-occurring intimate partner violence.


CONCLUSIONS
Reproductive coercion with co-occurring intimate partner violence is prevalent among women seeking general obstetrics and gynecology care. Health care providers should routinely assess reproductive-age women for reproductive coercion and intimate partner violence and tailor their family planning discussions and recommendations accordingly.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, and Women and Infants Hospital, Providence, RI. Electronic address: lilly1401@gmail.com.
Lindsay E
LE
Clark
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, and Women and Infants Hospital, Providence, RI.
Rebecca H
RH
Allen
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, and Women and Infants Hospital, Providence, RI.
Vinita
V
Goyal
Division of Research, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, and Women and Infants Hospital, Providence, RI; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, and Women and Infants Hospital, Providence, RI.
Christina
C
Raker
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, and Women and Infants Hospital, Providence, RI.
Amy S
AS
Gottlieb
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003068:Coercion; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology; D006801:Humans; D009774:Obstetrics; D015995:Prevalence; D012237:Rhode Island; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult
birth control sabotage; family planning counseling; intimate partner violence; reproductive coercion; screening for intimate partner violence