The Relationship Between Intimate Partner Violence and Unintended Pregnancy: Eastern Sub Saharan African Countries' Analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys.

This article examines the relationship between intimate partner violence (IPV) and unintended pregnancy among ever-married or cohabiting women of reproductive age in six Eastern Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries using data from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS). The study found that 38% of pregnancies were unintended, with a higher prevalence (45%) among women who experienced any IPV and 55% among those who experienced sexual violence. After adjusting for confounders, sexual violence was significantly associated with increased odds of unintended pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.17), alongside factors such as having more than five living children, rural residence, limited knowledge of family planning (FP) methods, and financial barriers to healthcare. The findings highlight the need for integrated policies and programs addressing sexual reproductive health and IPV, emphasizing women's empowerment, male engagement, improved FP access, and community education to reduce unintended pregnancies in Eastern SSA.