A family planning clinic partner violence intervention to reduce risk associated with reproductive coercion

Background: This study examined the efficacy of a family-planning-clinic-based intervention to address intimate partner violence (IPV) and reproductive coercion.

Study design: Four free-standing urban family planning clinics in Northern California were randomized to intervention (trained family planning counselors) or standard of care. English-speaking and Spanish-speaking females ages 16-29 years (N = 906) completed audio computer-assisted surveys prior to a clinic visit and 12-24 weeks later (75% retention rate). Analyses included assessment of intervention effects on recent IPV, awareness of IPV services and reproductive coercion.

Results: Among women reporting past-3-months IPV at baseline, there was a 71% reduction in the odds of pregnancy coercion among participants in intervention clinics compared to participants in the control clinics that provided standard of care. Women in the intervention arm were more likely to report ending a relationship because the relationship was unhealthy or because they felt unsafe regardless of IPV status (adjusted odds ratio = 1.63; 95% confidence interval=1.01-2.63).

Conclusions: Results of this pilot study suggest that this intervention may reduce the risk for reproductive coercion from abusive male partners among family planning clients and support such women to leave unsafe relationships.