title: Reproductive coercion and partner violence among college women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine reproductive coercion and partner violence among college women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional, descriptive.
  
  
  METHODS
  A large public university in the Northeast United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  Inclusion criteria were college women age 18 to 25, enrolled either full- or part-time, English speaking, and screened positive for relationship. Data from 972 women were analyzed.
  
  
  METHODS
  An e-mail invitation to participate in an electronic survey was sent to undergraduate and graduate female students. A web link to the informed consent and inclusion criteria were provided. Students who affirmed they met inclusion criteria could proceed to the survey. Completion of the survey implied consent.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nearly 8% of participants (n = 76) reported reproductive coercion, including pregnancy coercion, birth control sabotage, or both. Women reported more pregnancy coercion (6.8%) than birth control sabotage (3.9%). Being told not to use any birth control was the most commonly reported act (6.8%, n = 62). Of women reporting reproductive coercion (n = 76), 57% also screened for positive relationship violence (95% confidence interval [CI] [2.74, 7.29]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pregnancy coercion and birth control sabotage occur among college women, and higher rates were reported among women with histories of partner violence. In addition to screening and counseling for partner violence, college health providers should assess for reproductive coercion and tailor contraceptive counseling discussions accordingly.
authors: Melissa A
authors: MA
authors: Sutherland
authors: Heidi Collins
authors: HC
authors: Fantasia
authors: Holly
authors: H
authors: Fontenot
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003068:Coercion; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D000066511:Intimate Partner Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009511:New England; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate / Q000639:trends*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: college women; intimate partner violence; reproductive coercion