title: Rapid assessment to identify and quantify the risk of intimate partner violence during pregnancy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Abuse during pregnancy is common and affects upwards of one in six pregnant women worldwide. The objective of this study is to describe the demographics, frequency, and severity of abuse, and the risk of murder for women who report abuse during pregnancy compared with women who do not report abuse.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 300 women seeking assistance for partner abuse were recruited to participate in a 7-year prospective study. Of the 300 women, 50 reported they had been pregnant within the last 4 months; 25 of the women (50%) reported they were "beaten" during the pregnancy; and 25 women (50%) reported they had not been "beaten." Analysis was completed on differential severity for abuse and risk for murder between the two groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women reporting abuse during pregnancy had statistically significant (p < 0.001) higher scores for Threat of abuse, F(1, 49) = 14.37, p < 0.001; Physical abuse, F(1, 49) = 21.21, p < 0.001; and Danger for murder weighted F(1, 49) = 22.99, p < 0.001. All effects sizes were large.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women abused during pregnancy are at greater risk for further abuse and in severe danger for murder. To ensure the safety of pregnant women, screening policies are essential.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, The University of Alabama, Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, USA.
authors.forename: Ann L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McFarlane
authors.forename: Angeles
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nava
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gilroy
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Maddoux
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cesario
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006708:Homicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D037841:Pregnant People; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: abuse during pregnancy; intimate partner violence; risk for murder; screening for intimate partner violence