Jackson J, Lewis NV, Feder GS, Whiting P, Jones T, Macleod J, Redaniel MT. Exposure to domestic violence and abuse and consultations for emergency contraception: nested case-control study in a UK primary care dataset.
Br J Gen Pract 2019;
69:e199-207. [PMID:
30510095 DOI:
10.3399/bjgp18X700277]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background
Evidence of an association between exposure to domestic violence and abuse (DVA) and use of emergency contraception (EC) is lacking in the UK.
Aim
To quantify the association between exposure to DVA and consultations for EC in general practice.
Design and setting
Nested case-control study in UK general practice.
Method
Using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink, the authors identified all women all women aged 15–49 years registered with a GP between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2016. Cases with consultations for EC (n = 43 570) were each matched on age and GP against four controls with no consultations for EC (n = 174 280). The authors calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between exposure to DVA in the previous year and consultations for EC. Covariates included age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, pregnancy, children, alcohol misuse, and depression.
Results
Women exposed to DVA were 2.06 times more likely to have a consultation for EC than unexposed women (95% CI = 1.64 to 2.61). Women aged 25–39 years with exposure to DVA were 2.8 times more likely to have a consultation for EC, compared with unexposed women (95% CI = 2.08 to 3.75). The authors found some evidence of an independent effect of exposure to DVA on the number of consultations for EC (OR 1.48, 95% CI = 0.99 to 2.21).
Conclusion
A request for EC in general practice can indicate possible exposure to DVA. Primary care consultation for EC is a relevant context for identifying and responding to DVA as recommended by the World Health Organization and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines. DVA training for providers of EC should include this new evidence.
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