Prevalence and predictors of physical partner abuse among Mexican American women.
OBJECTIVE
This study determined the lifetime prevalence of physical abuse by a current partner among women of Mexican origin and assessed factors associated with abuse.


METHODS
Data are for a subsample of 1155 women with current partners from a larger population-based cross-sectional survey of US residents of Mexican origin.


RESULTS
The self-reported prevalence of physical abuse by a current partner was 10.7%. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with physical abuse included US birthplace (odds ratio = 2.1; 95% confidence interval = 1.24, 3.56), young age, urban residence, and having 4 or more children. Social support and regular church attendance were protective.


CONCLUSIONS
The self-reported prevalence of physical abuse among Mexican American women is high. US birth is associated with increased risk of abuse. Community-based prevention efforts should be aimed at this population.
Department of Psychiatry, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, USA. alown@arg.org
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D017058:Mexican Americans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology