title: A systematic review and narrative report of the relationship between infertility, subfertility, and intimate partner violence.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Infertility/subfertility could be a formerly unrecognized risk factor for intimate partner violence (IPV).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To review the evidence on the association between infertility/subfertility in women and the risk of IPV.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven databases were searched for articles published in English or Spanish between January 2000 and July 2015.
  
  
  METHODS
  Studies were included if they analyzed the relationship between infertility/subfertility and IPV in a quantitative manner.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic search was completed by one author, and articles meeting the inclusion/exclusion criteria were chosen by two authors. It was not possible to pool the data because of heterogeneity in the study design, the methods, and the definitions of IPV and infertility/subfertility found across the studies. Instead, a narrative report was completed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-one papers met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. The available evidence indicated that infertility/subfertility is associated with IPV in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Infertility/subfertility is associated with an increased risk of experiencing IPV in LMICs. Future research should focus on studies with a homogenous design, rigorous methodology, and appropriately selected study and control groups. Qualitative research would also be invaluable to assess the impact of relevant social variables on outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA. Electronic address: ces2010@med.cornell.edu.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stellar
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Health and Research, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Garcia-Moreno
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Health and Research, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Marleen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Temmerman
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Health and Research, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Sheryl
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: van der Poel
mesh_terms: D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000066511:Intimate Partner Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D012107:Research Design; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Abuse; Childlessness; Domestic violence; Infertility; Intimate partner violence; Subfertility; Violence