VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN LINKED TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH PROBLEMS- Daily Express- Monday December, 2014.

Unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections and miscarriages are more frequent among women who report having experienced violence at any point in their lives, studies from multiple countries around the world show.

On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, observed each year on November 25, the Pan American Health Organization is calling for the health sector, especially sexual and reproductive health services- to be involved in efforts to prevent and respond to violence against women.

“This is a major problem with many health implications” said Dr. Carissa F Etienne, PAHO Director. “The health sector has a role to play in both prevention and response.”

Violence against women continues to be a serious public health problem in the Americas, where one in three women experiences physical or sexual violence by a non-partner during their lifetime, and 20 per cent of women report being sexually abused as children. Young women aged 15-19 are at risk of suffering physical or sexual partner violence, with many reporting their first sexual encounter as unwanted or forced. This violence not only results in physical injury or death but also has an under-recognised impact on women’s reproductive health, leading to more complications of pregnancy, unwanted pregnancy, miscarriage and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. In some countries in the Americas, levels of unwanted pregnancy ae two to three times higher among women who report partner violence compared with women who do not. Pregnancy loss is twice as high among women who report experiencing violence and the risk of premature labour is 1.6 times greater.

 Studies have also found violence to be a significant cause of maternal mortality. Partner violence was the main cause of maternal death-responsible for 20 per cent of such deaths- in three U.S. cities during 1993-1998.

In the case of women who experience sexual assault, health services should assess their need for HIV or STI prophylaxis, make emergency contraception available and provide mental health.