Domestic violence (violence perpetrated by a male on his intimate female partner) is a major public health problem in the United States, leading to both acute injuries and chronic illnesses. Estimates of the annual prevalence of domestic violence range between 8% and 22%. Domestic violence affects women disproportionately, they being 5-8 times more likely than men to be victimized by their intimates. The emergency department is the healthcare facility most likely to be accessed by women in battering relationships, for direct injuries or manifestations of the stress of living under abusive circumstances.The current study documents the incidence and experiences of current domestic violence, mental health status, and history of past experiences of abuse among a population of women who used the emergency departments. In addition, the study highlight the factors that were significant predictors of the current abuse experienced by study participants. Between 1998-1999, clients (women over the age of 18 years who were at the emergency departments for non-emergent medical services) were recruited for the study. Overall, 29% of the study participants reported being abused in their current intimate relationships. The abuse began early in the relationship and was varied. No statistically significant differences were found in the domestic violence characteristics among participants from the two study locations. Three factors, participants' witnessing spousal abuse as children, their partners witnessing spousal abuse as children, and their partners having a history of perpetrating abuse in other adult relationships emerged as the significant predictors of current abuse.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to: 1.Recognize the use of rural hospital emergency departments by women in batterings relationships despite the stigma and fears 2.Identify the immediate, short-term,long-term, and and delayed health complications that women in battering relationships experience 3.List the factors that were significant predictors of current abuse experienced by study participants in their intimate relationships 4.Compare the rate of domestic violence among this study population using the emergency departments to others from urban and rural emegency deratments 2
Keywords: Battered Women, Emergency Department/Room
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: The use of the two hospital emergency departments in Dona Ana County in New Mexico where the study was conducted
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.