title: The prevalence of domestic violence in pregnant women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of domestic violence in a population of pregnant women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Questionnaire survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Antenatal booking clinic in a north of England hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five hundred consecutive women were included.
  
  
  METHODS
  Anonymous confidential questionnaire to women who were not accompanied by their partners.
  
  
  METHODS
  Disclosure of a past history of physical, emotional or sexual abuse.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four hundred and seventy-five questionnaires were returned (95% response rate). The prevalence of domestic violence was 17%. Domestic violence was highest in the age group 26-30 years and boyfriends were the main perpetrators. Punching and slapping were the most common pattern of violence, and 10% of women experiencing domestic violence had had forced sexual activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of domestic violence in a cohort of pregnant women in the north of England was 17%. Consideration should be given for routine screening for domestic violence in pregnancy to institute effective intervention strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hull Maternity Hospital, UK.
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Haider
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Hay
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Lindow
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011295:Prenatal Care; D015995:Prevalence; D012650:Self Disclosure; D017406:Sexual Harassment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires