Intimate Partner Victimization and Health Risk Behaviors Among Pregnant Adolescents.
To provide lifetime estimates of intimate partner victimization among pregnant adolescents and examine associations between victimization and health risk behaviors identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as leading causes of adolescent morbidity and mortality.



Participants (n = 1233) were predominantly Latina (58%) and non-Latina Black (34%) pregnant adolescents (aged 14-21 years) enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of group prenatal care in 14 clinical sites in New York City (2008-2012). They completed surveys to assess interpersonal victimization and risk behaviors: substance use, risky sexual behaviors, injuries or violence, unhealthy dietary behavior, and inadequate physical activity.



Fifty-two percent reported intimate partner victimization, which was associated with nearly all health risk behaviors.



Pregnant adolescents who experienced intimate partner victimization were significantly more likely to engage in health risk behaviors, which can have adverse health consequences. Expanded prevention programs tailored to specific needs of pregnant adolescents are needed. Health care providers and others who work with pregnant adolescents should consistently screen for and intervene in intimate partner victimization.
Ifeyinwa E. Udo, Jessica B. Lewis, and Jeannette R. Ickovics are with Yale School of Public Health and Yale Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, New Haven, CT. Jonathan N. Tobin is with the Clinical Directors Network, New York, NY.
Ifeyinwa E
IE
Udo
Ifeyinwa E. Udo, Jessica B. Lewis, and Jeannette R. Ickovics are with Yale School of Public Health and Yale Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, New Haven, CT. Jonathan N. Tobin is with the Clinical Directors Network, New York, NY.
Jessica B
JB
Lewis Lmft
Ifeyinwa E. Udo, Jessica B. Lewis, and Jeannette R. Ickovics are with Yale School of Public Health and Yale Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, New Haven, CT. Jonathan N. Tobin is with the Clinical Directors Network, New York, NY.
Jonathan N
JN
Tobin
Ifeyinwa E. Udo, Jessica B. Lewis, and Jeannette R. Ickovics are with Yale School of Public Health and Yale Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, New Haven, CT. Jonathan N. Tobin is with the Clinical Directors Network, New York, NY.
Jeannette R
JR
Ickovics
D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004032:Diet / Q000208:ethnology; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D037841:Pregnant People; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000208:ethnology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000208:ethnology; D055815:Young Adult