title: Are gynaecological and pregnancy-associated conditions in family practice indicators of intimate partner violence?
abstract: Some gynaecological and pregnancy-associated conditions are more common in abused women than in non-abused women, but this has not been examined in family practice.
  
  
  
  We aimed to investigate intimate partner violence (IPV) prevalence in family practice and to investigate whether gynaecological and pregnancy-associated conditions are more common in abused women than in non-abused women.
  
  
  
  We conducted a cross-sectional waiting room survey in 12 family practices in the Netherlands in 2012. Women were eligible if they were of 18 years or older. Questionnaires measured IPV and gynaecological and pregnancy-associated conditions. Chi-square tests were used to assess the differences in gynaecological and pregnancy-associated conditions between abused women and non-abused women.
  
  
  
  The response rate was 86% (262 of 306 women). The past-year prevalence of IPV in women who had had an intimate relationship in the past year and were not accompanied by their partner was 8.7% (n = 195). Lifetime prevalence of women who had ever had an intimate relationship, but not in the past year, was 17.6% (n = 51). Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) [odds ratio (OR) = 4.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.7-12.5, n = 240], menstrual disorders (OR = 3.7, 95% CI = 1.2-11.2, n = 143), sexual problems (OR = 3.3, 95% CI = 1.2-9.3, n = 229), miscarriages (OR = 2.5, 95% CI = 1.062-5.8, n = 202) and induced abortions (OR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.028-7.3, n = 202) were significantly more common in abused women than in non-abused women.
  
  
  
  Family physicians should ask about IPV when women present with STIs, menstrual disorders, sexual problems, miscarriages or induced abortions. To improve the recognition of IPV, future research needs to investigate whether a combination of symptoms offers improved prediction of IPV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Primary and Community Care, Gender & Women's Health, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Maartje.Loeffen@radboudumc.nl.
authors.forename: Maartje J W
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Loeffen
authors.affiliation: Department of Primary and Community Care, Gender & Women's Health, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen.
authors.forename: Sylvie H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lo Fo Wong
authors.affiliation: Department Methods and Techniques, Faculty Social Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen and.
authors.forename: Fred P J F
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Wester
authors.affiliation: Department Scientific Institute for Quality of Healthcare, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Miranda G H
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Laurant
authors.affiliation: Department of Primary and Community Care, Gender & Women's Health, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen.
authors.forename: Antoine L M
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Lagro-Janssen
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018585:Battered Women / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D000066511:Intimate Partner Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D000074384:Sexual Health; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Intimate partner violence; obstetrics/post-partum care; primary care; reproductive health/family planning/contraception; sexual health; women’s health/gynaecology.