Predicting future injury among women in abusive relationships.
OBJECTIVE
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major cause of injury and death among women, and it is a problem with significant relevance to health care providers. In this study, we examined risk factors for IPV-related injury within 9 months of an index episode of abuse in a population of police- or court-identified victims of IPV.


METHODS
This was a prospective cohort study of 354 women in abusive relationships. The outcome measured was injury within 9 months. Stepwise logistic regression was used for the statistical analysis.


RESULTS
Two factors were found to be independently associated with increased risk of injury: victim's lack of full-time employment (RR 3.47, 95% CI 1.43-8.41) and physical abuse on the index incident date (RR 3.06, 95% CI 1.16-8.06).


CONCLUSIONS
By questioning our patients about these issues, we can begin to identify the complex risk factors that predispose women in abusive relationships to future injury.
Crandall
Marie L
ML
Division of Trauma and General Surgery, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, USA. Mcrandall@nmff.org
Nathens
Avery B
AB
Kernic
Mary A
MA
Holt
Victoria L
VL
Rivara
Frederick P
FP
D000368:Aged; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000145:classification* / Q000209:etiology