Prevalence of experienced abuse in healthcare and associated obstetric characteristics in six European countries. (3rd March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lukasse, Mirjam; Schroll, Anne‐Mette; Karro, Helle; Schei, Berit; Steingrimsdottir, Thora; Van Parys, An‐Sofie; Ryding, Elsa Lena; Tabor, Ann; the Bidens Study Group
• Is Part Of: Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica. Volume 94:Number 5(2015)
• Page Start: 508
• Page End: 517
• Publication Date: 2015-03-03
• Subjects: Gynecology -- Periodicals; Pregnancy -- Periodicals; Obstetrics -- Periodicals; 618.05
• DOI: 10.1111/aogs.12593
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-6349

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="aogs12593-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="aogs12593-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objectives</title> <p>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.</p> </sec> <sec id="aogs12593-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Design</title> <p>Cross‐sectional study.</p> </sec> <sec id="aogs12593-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Setting</title> <p>Routine antenatal care in six European countries.</p> </sec> <sec id="aogs12593-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Population</title> <p>In total 6923 pregnant women.</p> </sec> <sec id="aogs12593-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>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.</p> </sec> <sec id="aogs12593-sec-0006" sec-type="section"> <title>Main outcome measures</title> <p>Abuse in healthcare, fear of childbirth and preference for birth by cesarean section.</p> </sec> <sec id="aogs12593-sec-0007" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>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.</p> </sec> <sec id="aogs12593-sec-0008" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>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.</p> </sec> </abstract>