[Abortion and violence against women: what are the warning signs?]

Abstract

Objectives: Screening for violences against women is recommended during consultation for abortion. However, it is not always performed. The aim of this study is to identify the factors associated with the existence of recent violence among patients requesting abortion.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at Lille University Hospital between December 2022 and May 2023. Socio-demographic, medical and abortion-related characteristics were collected and compared according to two groups: a group of patients reporting recent violence and a group reporting no recent violence.

Results: Of 358 files analyzed, 54 patients (15,1%) reported recent violence. Several factors were found to be significantly associated with recent violence: recent or ongoing separation (49,1% versus 5,3%, p<0,001), request for abortion for a pregnancy initially intended (14,8% versus 4,3%, p<0,01), late-one term abortion >12 weeks of amenorrhea (15% versus 6,5%, p<0,001) and >14 weeks of amenorrhea (23% versus 6,8%, p<0,001), a canceled or postponed abortion (18,6% versus 5,9%, p<0,01), a co-responsible for the pregnancy not informed of the pregnancy status (47,6% versus 85,8%, p<0,001).

Conclusion: This study highlighted numerous factors associated with recent gender-based violence. They could be identified as warning signals to help healthcare professionals carry out efficient violence screening.