title: Relation of domestic violence to health status among Hispanic women.
abstract: Little research has addressed the association of domestic violence (DV) with physical and mental health in Hispanic women. We conducted a cross-sectional study with 146 Hispanic women patients in 2002 at an urban family medicine practice. Twenty-one percent of the women were identified as current victims of DV. Two-fifths of victims (41.9%) experienced physical and/or sexual abuse. Approximately two-thirds (64.5%) had depressive symptoms. Poorer mental health was associated with all forms of abuse. Relatively low socioeconomic status and acculturation level may lead to disparities in obtaining services for DV intervention. Culturally appropriate protocols are needed in primary care settings to prevent and intervene among Hispanic women at risk for DV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, UMDNJ-NJMS, 183 S. Orange Avenue, BHSB E1557, Newark, NJ 07103, USA. chenpi@umdnj.edu
authors.forename: Ping-Hsin
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rovi
authors.forename: Marielos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vega
authors.forename: Abbie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: Mark S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017579:Domestic Violence; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008603:Mental Health; D016387:Women's Health