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. CONCLUSIONS: 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.
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. CONCLUSIONS: 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.
Authors: H B Goldstein; P Safaeian; K Garrod; P S Finamore; S Kellogg-Spadt; K E Whitmore Journal: Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct Date: 2008-09-03
Authors: Ayman A E El-Mohandes; Michele Kiely; Jill G Joseph; Siva Subramanian; Allan A Johnson; Susan M Blake; Marie G Gantz; M Nabil El-Khorazaty Journal: Obstet Gynecol Date: 2008-09 Impact factor: 7.661