Health effects associated with exposure to intimate partner violence against women and childhood sexual abuse: a burden of proof study.

Spencer CN., Khalil M., Herbert M., Aravkin AY., Arrieta A., Baeza MJ., Bustreo F., Cagney J., Calderon-Anyosa RJC., Carr S., Chandan JK., Coll CVN., de Andrade FMD., de Andrade GN., Debure AN., Flor LS., Hammond B., Hay SI., Knaul FN., Lim RQH., McLaughlin SA., Minhas S., Mohr JK., Mullany EC., Murray CJL., O'Connell EM., Patwardhan V., Reinach S., Scott D., Sorenson RJD., Stein C., Stöckl H., Twalibu A., Vasconcelos N., Zheng P., Metheny N., Chandan JS., Gakidou E.

The health impacts of intimate partner violence against women and childhood sexual abuse are not fully understood. Here we conducted a systematic review by comprehensively searching seven electronic databases for literature on intimate partner violence-associated and childhood sexual abuse-associated health effects. Following the burden of proof methodology, we evaluated the evidence strength linking intimate partner violence and/or childhood sexual abuse to health outcomes supported by at least three studies. Results indicated a moderate association of intimate partner violence with major depressive disorder and with maternal abortion and miscarriage (63% and 35% increased risk, respectively). HIV/AIDS, anxiety disorders and self-harm exhibited weak associations with intimate partner violence. Fifteen outcomes were evaluated for their relationship to childhood sexual abuse, which was shown to be moderately associated with alcohol use disorders and with self-harm (45% and 35% increased risk, respectively). Associations between childhood sexual abuse and 11 additional health outcomes, such as asthma and type 2 diabetes mellitus, were found to be weak. Although our understanding remains limited by data scarcity, these health impacts are larger in magnitude and more extensive than previously reported. Renewed efforts on violence prevention and evidence-based approaches that promote healing and ensure access to care are necessary.

DOI

10.1038/s41591-023-02629-5

Type

Journal article

Publication Date

2023-12-01T00:00:00+00:00

Volume

29

Pages

3243 - 3258

Total pages

15

Keywords

Child, Female, Humans, Pregnancy, Abortion, Spontaneous, Alcoholism, Major Depressive Disorder, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Intimate Partner Violence, Prevalence, Risk Factors, Sex Offenses

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