title: Prevalence of physical and sexual assault in pregnant adolescents.
abstract: Few studies have addressed the prevalence of violence among pregnant adolescents. We interviewed 342 pregnant teenagers 17 years of age or younger for a history of assault; 9% reported physical assault, 8% sexual assault, and 8% both physical and sexual assault. Of those physically abused, 40% had been hit during pregnancy. The most common perpetrator of physical assault was a member of their family of origin as compared to a mate (46% versus 33%), although a boyfriend or spouse was the attacker in 80% of cases in which abuse had increased during pregnancy. The face or neck was the most common site of contact. A total of 14% reported being hit in the abdomen, one-third of them while pregnant. We conclude that a significant proportion of pregnant teenagers have experienced violence and therefore should be screened routinely for a history of abuse.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77550.
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Berenson
authors.forename: V V
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: San Miguel
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Wilkinson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence; D011295:Prenatal Care; D011902:Rape; D014754:Violence