ISSN:
1471-0528
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Objective To determine the prevalence of domestic violence in a population of pregnant women.Design Questionnaire survey.Setting Antenatal booking clinic in a north of England hospital.Population Five hundred consecutive women were included.Methods Anonymous confidential questionnaire to women who were not accompanied by their partners.Main outcome measures Disclosure of a past history of physical, emotional or sexual abuse.Results Four hundred and seventy-five questionnaires were returned (95% response rate). The prevalence of domestic violence was 17%. Domestic violence was highest in the age group 26–30 years and boyfriends were the main perpetrators. Punching and slapping were the most common pattern of violence, and 10% of women experiencing domestic violence had had forced sexual activity.Conclusion The prevalence of domestic violence in a cohort of pregnant women in the north of England was 17%. Consideration should be given for routine screening for domestic violence in pregnancy to institute effective intervention strategies.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1471-0528.2003.02216.x
