NCJ Number
203719
Journal
Trauma, Violence, & Abuse Volume: 5 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2004 Pages: 47-64
Date Published
January 2004
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This literature review organizes and synthesizes the interdisciplinary empirical research on intimate partner violence (IPV) that is directed against pregnant women.
Abstract
Due to differences in research designs, measures used, and the characteristics of the populations sampled, estimates of the prevalence of IPV against pregnant women vary significantly. Studies have differed in their findings regarding whether pregnant women are at increased risk for IPV; hospital-based and clinic-based studies have found the pregnancy period to be a time of increased risk for violence against women; whereas, national studies have not found an association between pregnancy and IPV. When violence is committed against pregnant women, the related consequences include later entry into prenatal care, low-birth-weight babies, premature labor, fetal trauma, unhealthy maternal behaviors, and health issues for the mother. Studies have indicated that health-care providers who have received training are more likely to screen for violence with pregnant women; however, very few health-care providers have received training in the areas of domestic violence dynamics and screening techniques in their medical education. This study recommends that health-care providers screen all women for domestic violence and improve related record-keeping, so that medical documentation can be used in legal proceedings. 4 tables and 104 references