NCJ Number
179142
Journal
Journal of the American Medical Association Volume: 280 Issue: 5 Dated: August 5, 1998 Pages: 433-438
Date Published
August 1998
Length
6 pages
Annotation
An anonymous survey conducted from 1995 through 1997 gathered information about physical, sexual, and emotional abuse among females ages 18 and over who sought treatment in 11 community hospital emergency departments in Pennsylvania and California.
Abstract
The main outcome measures were reported acute trauma from abuse, physical or sexual abuse during the past year, as well as physical or emotional abuse during the woman's lifetime. Of the 4,641 women seen in the emergency departments, 74 percent completed the surveys. A total of 2.2 percent reported acute trauma from abuse by an intimate partner, 14.4 percent reported physical or sexual abuse during the past year, and 36.9 percent reported emotional or physical abuse over their lifetime. California had significantly higher reported rates of past-year physical or sexual abuse and lifetime abuse than Pennsylvania. Logistic regression modeling revealed four risk factors for past-year abuse or acute trauma. These included age of 18-39 years, monthly income less than $1,000, having children younger than 18 years old living in the home, or ending a relationship within the past year. Findings suggested the need for heightened awareness of intimate partner abuse for persons who go to emergency departments. Tables and 18 references (Author abstract modified)