Prospective Association of Intimate Partner Violence with Receipt of Clinical Preventive Services in Women of Reproductive Age

Abstract

Background Women who experience intimate partner violence (IPV) have a greater risk for adverse health outcomes, suggesting the importance of preventive services in this group. Little prior research has explored how IPV exposure impacts receipt of relevant preventive services. We assess the prospective association of IPV exposure with receiving specific preventive services. Methods Women in the Central Pennsylvania Women’s Health Study’s longitudinal cohort study (conducted 2004–2007; n = 1,420) identified past-year exposure to IPV at baseline and receipt of IPV-relevant preventive services (counseling for safety and violence concerns, tests for sexually transmitted infections [STIs], counseling for STIs, Pap testing, counseling for smoking/tobacco use, alcohol/drug use, and birth control) at 2-year follow-up. Multiple logistic regression analysis assessed the impact of IPV on service receipt, controlling for relevant covariates. Findings Women exposed to IPV had greater odds of receiving safety and violence counseling (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25–4.61), and tests for STIs (AOR, 2.46; 95% CI, 1.41–4.28) compared with women who had not been exposed to IPV. Independent of other predictors, including IPV, women who saw an obstetrician-gynecologist were more likely to receive Pap tests, STI/HIV testing and counseling, and birth control counseling, compared with women who had not seen an obstetrician-gynecologist. Conclusion Overall rates of preventive service receipt for all women in the sample were low. Women exposed to IPV were more likely to receive safety and violence counseling and STI testing, and seeing an obstetrician-gynecologist increased the odds of receiving several preventive services.

Intimate Partner Violence and Its Health Impact on Ethnic Minority Women

“…Expanding upon these findings, a prospective longitudinal study of 1,420 women found that IPV exposure increased the odds of receiving counseling for safety and violence in the home (although the overall rate was only 20%) and screening tests for HIV/STIs; no associations were observed for IPV exposure and Pap testing, contraceptive counseling, alcohol and drug use counseling, and smoking counseling. 78 In addition, it is unknown how preventive screening behaviors may differ for abused women who are ethnic minority, impoverished, or foreign-born. What we do know is that Black and Latina women with experiences of IPV are less likely to utilize mental health services and medical attention for injuries resulting from IPV compared with White women.…”

Association of intimate partner violence and health-care provider-identified obesity

“…This is likely due to the fact that Coker et al used numerous assessment instruments to identify IPV exposure and type, whereas we used a single instrument, often used in clinical practice (Coker et al 2000; Gerber et al 2005; IOM. 2010; Nelson, Bougatsos, Blazina 2012; McCall-Hosenfeld, Chuang and Weisman 2013). Like the Coker study, we found a higher prevalence of physical IPV compared to non-physical IPV.…”

The Potential of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for Women in Violent Relationships

“…Several studies have shown that women experiencing IPV may in fact receive more preventive services, particularly those related to sexual health (e.g., STI/HIV testing) than those not experiencing IPV. [76][77][78] Given the relatively frequent follow-up required for PrEP, however, it is unclear as to whether these findings are applicable in this context.…”