Differences in the risk of homicide and other fatal injuries between postpartum women and other women of childbearing age: implications for prevention.
OBJECTIVE
This study compared injury deaths between postpartum women and other women aged 15 to 44.


METHODS
Risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed for injury fatality rates.


RESULTS
Fifty percent (29/58) of postpartum injury deaths were homicides, compared with 26% (427/1648) of injury deaths among nonpregnant, nonpostpartum women. For females aged 15 to 19, the homicide rate was 2.6 times higher (95% CI = 1.17, 5.95) for postpartum females than for other females. The motor-vehicle fatality rate was lower for postpartum females than for nonpregnant, nonpostpartum females (risk ratio = 0.30, CI = 0.18, 0.48).


CONCLUSIONS
Postpartum females aged 15 to 19 years were at higher risk of homicide. Postpartum women were at reduced risk of motor-vehicle fatalities.
Dietz
P M
PM
Epidemic Intelligence Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Ga. 30341-3714, USA.
Rochat
R W
RW
Thompson
B L
BL
Berg
C J
CJ
Griffin
G W
GW
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000401:mortality; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006708:Homicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control; D044469:Racial Groups; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control