Prevalence of experienced abuse in healthcare and associated obstetric characteristics in six European countries

TY - JOUR

T1 - Prevalence of experienced abuse in healthcare and associated obstetric characteristics in six European countries

AU - Lukasse, Mirjam

AU - Schroll, Anne-Mette

AU - Karro, Helle

AU - Schei, Berit

AU - Steingrimsdottir, Thora

AU - Van Parys, An-Sofie

AU - Ryding, Elsa Lena

AU - Tabor, Ann

AU - Bidens Study Group

N1 - © 2015 Nordic Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

PY - 2015/5/1

Y1 - 2015/5/1

N2 - OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence and current suffering of experienced abuse in healthcare, to present the socio-demographic background for women with a history of abuse in healthcare and to assess the association between abuse in healthcare and selected obstetric characteristics.DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.SETTING: Routine antenatal care in six European countries.POPULATION: In total 6923 pregnant women.METHODS: Cross-tabulation and Pearson's chi-square was used to study prevalence and characteristics for women reporting abuse in healthcare. Associations with selected obstetric factors were estimated using multiple logistic regression analysis.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Abuse in healthcare, fear of childbirth and preference for birth by cesarean section.RESULTS: One in five pregnant women attending routine antenatal care reported some lifetime abuse in healthcare. Prevalence varied significantly between the countries. Characteristics for women reporting abuse in healthcare included a significantly higher prevalence of other forms of abuse, economic hardship and negative life events as well as a lack of social support, symptoms of post-traumatic stress and depression. Among nulliparous women, abuse in healthcare was associated with fear of childbirth, adjusted odds ratio 2.25 (95% CI 1.23-4.12) for severe abuse in healthcare. For multiparous women only severe current suffering from abuse in healthcare was significantly associated with fear of childbirth, adjusted odds ratio 4.04 (95% CI 2.08-7.83). Current severe suffering from abuse in healthcare was significantly associated with the wish for cesarean section, and counselling for fear of childbirth for both nulli- and multiparous women.CONCLUSION: Abuse in healthcare among women attending routine antenatal care is common and for women with severe current suffering from abuse in healthcare, this is associated with fear of childbirth and a wish for cesarean section.

AB - OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence and current suffering of experienced abuse in healthcare, to present the socio-demographic background for women with a history of abuse in healthcare and to assess the association between abuse in healthcare and selected obstetric characteristics.DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.SETTING: Routine antenatal care in six European countries.POPULATION: In total 6923 pregnant women.METHODS: Cross-tabulation and Pearson's chi-square was used to study prevalence and characteristics for women reporting abuse in healthcare. Associations with selected obstetric factors were estimated using multiple logistic regression analysis.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Abuse in healthcare, fear of childbirth and preference for birth by cesarean section.RESULTS: One in five pregnant women attending routine antenatal care reported some lifetime abuse in healthcare. Prevalence varied significantly between the countries. Characteristics for women reporting abuse in healthcare included a significantly higher prevalence of other forms of abuse, economic hardship and negative life events as well as a lack of social support, symptoms of post-traumatic stress and depression. Among nulliparous women, abuse in healthcare was associated with fear of childbirth, adjusted odds ratio 2.25 (95% CI 1.23-4.12) for severe abuse in healthcare. For multiparous women only severe current suffering from abuse in healthcare was significantly associated with fear of childbirth, adjusted odds ratio 4.04 (95% CI 2.08-7.83). Current severe suffering from abuse in healthcare was significantly associated with the wish for cesarean section, and counselling for fear of childbirth for both nulli- and multiparous women.CONCLUSION: Abuse in healthcare among women attending routine antenatal care is common and for women with severe current suffering from abuse in healthcare, this is associated with fear of childbirth and a wish for cesarean section.

KW - Adolescent

KW - Adult

KW - Cesarean Section

KW - Chi-Square Distribution

KW - Child

KW - Cross-Sectional Studies

KW - Europe

KW - Fear

KW - Female

KW - Humans

KW - Parturition

KW - Patient Preference

KW - Pregnancy

KW - Prenatal Care

KW - Prevalence

KW - Socioeconomic Factors

KW - Violence

KW - Young Adult

U2 - 10.1111/aogs.12593

DO - 10.1111/aogs.12593

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 25627169

SN - 0001-6349

VL - 94

SP - 508

EP - 517

JO - Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica

JF - Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica

IS - 5

ER -