Birth Control Sabotage and Pregnancy Coercion

An interesting article is available from the National Institutes for Health on the topic of Birth Control Sabotage and Pregnancy Coercion as a form of intimate partner abuse.  The researchers found that 53% of respondents reported physical or sexual partner violence, 19% reported experiencing pregnancy coercion, and 15% reported birth control sabotage. One third of respondents reporting partner violence (35%) also reported reproductive control. Both pregnancy coercion and birth control sabotage were associated with unintended pregnancy.  Professionals working in the field of reproductive health need to be aware of this issue to properly assess and assist their clients in being successful contraceptors.