title: Intimate partner violence and reproductive health among methamphetamine-using women in los angeles: a qualitative pilot study.
abstract: Abstract Among women, methamphetamine (meth) use has been associated with intimate partner violence (IPV); however, few studies have looked at the context of IPV. This qualitative pilot study explored the experiences of meth-using women in Los Angeles County regarding: (1) IPV in their most recent primary relationship; (2) use of contraception and reproductive health services; and (3) meth use during pregnancy. Participants (n=30) were recruited through community advertising and at three addiction treatment centers to participate in 15-20 minute, semi-structured interviews recorded with handwritten transcripts. The team analyzed transcripts for key themes. Participants reported IPV (n=19, 63%) as recipients (50%), perpetrators (40%), and/or both (27%), occurring mainly during active meth use or withdrawal. While most (n=25) continued meth use during at least one pregnancy, some (n=5, 17%) identified pregnancy as a motivation to quit or reduce use, suggesting an opportunity for intervention. Though most women knew about free and low-cost reproductive health services, few accessed them, with 33% citing aspects of meth use itself as a barrier. One-third (45/133) of reported pregnancies were terminated by abortion. Most women (67%) began using before age 18, suggesting need for screening and intervention among adolescents.
authors.affiliation: a MS-IV, UCLA-School of Medicine , Los Angeles , CA.
authors.forename: Wajidah
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Abdul-Khabir
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Aimee-Noelle
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Swanson
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shoptaw
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003267:Contraception; D003268:Contraception Behavior; D055030:Drug Users / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D000066511:Intimate Partner Violence / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D015141:Los Angeles / Q000453:epidemiology; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D049168:Pregnancy, Unplanned / Q000523:psychology; D011275:Pregnancy, Unwanted / Q000523:psychology; D036301:Qualitative Research; D060728:Reproductive Health; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008694:Methamphetamine
keywords: contraception; domestic violence; methamphetamine; prenatal care; reproductive health services