A new review of existing research suggests a possible link between domestic violence and abortions.
Led by Susan Bewley of Kings College London in the United Kingdom, the review was based on the findings of 74 studies that looked at domestic violence -- physical, sexual or emotional/psychological -- among women who have had abortions.
The studies estimate that worldwide, between 2 percent and 30 percent of women having an abortion were victims of domestic violence within the previous year, and 14 percent to 40 percent had been victims at some point in their lives.
Overall, the researchers estimated that 25 percent of women having an abortion had been victims of domestic violence.
The study showed an association between domestic violence and abortion, but did not prove a cause-and-effect link.
"Intimate-partner violence is associated with pregnancy termination," the researchers said. "Novel public health approaches are required to address violence against women and repeat termination. Termination services provide an opportune health-based setting in which to design and test interventions at the individual level."
The study appears in this week's issue of the journal PLoS Medicine.
-- Randy Dotinga