Domestic abuse during the previous year in a sample of postpartum women.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence and the correlates of domestic abuse in women presenting for a postpartum visit.


METHODS
Data were collected via a cross-sectional survey. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine characteristics of women reporting abuse.


METHODS
Thirty-five obstetric clinics in Wisconsin.


METHODS
One thousand five hundred nineteen women who presented for a postpartum visit. Most were White, well educated, employed, and married.


METHODS
Physical and/or emotional abuse in the previous 12 months.


RESULTS
One hundred twelve (7.4%) women were victims of abuse. Women who reported abuse were more likely to screen positive for postpartum depression (odds ratio 4.21, 95% confidence interval 2.19-8.09) be unmarried (odds ratio 7.05, 95% confidence interval 3.39-14.64), be older than 35 year (odds ratio 2.45, 95% confidence interval 1.10-5.50), be not in the labor force (odds ratio 2.39, 95% confidence interval 1.16-4.90), be of Hispanic ethnicity (odds ratio 2.73, 95% confidence interval 1.07-6.96), and have a partner who binge drinks (odds ratio 3.09, confidence interval 1.49-6.43).


CONCLUSIONS
One in 14 women who present for a postpartum visit report emotional or physical abuse in the previous year. Although certain factors are more highly associated with domestic abuse, the high prevalence of abuse in this population supports the use of routine screening of women for domestic abuse.
Certain
Heather E
HE
Wm S Middleton Memorial VA Hospital, Madison, WI 53705, USA. hecertain@wisc.edu
Mueller
Meridith
M
Jagodzinski
Tanya
T
Fleming
Michael
M
D000328:Adult; D018585:Battered Women / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016015:Logistic Models; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D008487:Medical History Taking / Q000379:methods; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014922:Wisconsin / Q000453:epidemiology; D016387:Women's Health