Health effects associated with exposure to intimate partner violence and childhood sexual abuse: A Burden of Proof study

Cory N Spencer, Mariam Khalil, Molly Herbert, Aleksandr Aravkin, Alejandra Arrieta , María Jose Baeza, Flavia Bustreo, Jack Cagney, Renzo Calderon-Anyosa , Sinclair Carr , Jaidev Chandan, Carolina Coll, Fabiana de Andrade , Gisele de Andrade, Alexandra Debure, Luisa Flor, Ben Hammond, Simon Hay, Felicia M Knaul, Rachel LimSusan McLaughlin, Sonica Minhas, Jasleen Mohr , Erin Mullany, Christopher Murray, Erin O'Connell, Vedavati Patwardhan , Sofia Reinach , Dalton Scott , Reed Sorensen , Caroline Stein, Heidi Stöckl, Aisha Twalibu, Nádia Vasconcelos, Peng Zheng, Nicholas Metheny, Joht Chandan*, Emmanuela Gakidou

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

35 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

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.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3243–3258
JournalNature Medicine
Volume29
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 11 Dec 2023

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Health effects associated with exposure to intimate partner violence and childhood sexual abuse: A Burden of Proof study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this