title: The prevalence rates of domestic abuse in women attending a family planning clinic.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Domestic abuse has a detrimental impact on the mental and physical health of a woman. The abusive partner may use physical and sexual violence and 'control' the choice of contraception.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the prevalence rates of domestic abuse.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data collection using anonymous questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  A family planning clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred and ninety-two women.
  
  
  METHODS
  The prevalence rate of past and present history of domestic abuse and the nature of the abuse.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One in three women experienced domestic abuse at some time in their life. A significant relationship existed between the age of the woman and experiencing abuse within the last year. Women in full-time employment experienced the highest rates of abuse.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The anonymity of the research and the method of implementation encouraged an excellent response rate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  During a woman's childbearing years, one-third of women may experience domestic abuse from their partner.
authors.affiliation: Duchess of Westminster Wing, Arrowe Park Hospital, Upton, UK. june.keeling@whnt.nhs.uk
authors.forename: June
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Keeling
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Birch
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011295:Prenatal Care; D015995:Prevalence; D012650:Self Disclosure; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health; D014931:Women, Working / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data