The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #36179

Deborah B Nelson, PhD¹, J.A. Grisso, MD, MSc², Marshall Joffe, MD, PHD³, and Colleen Brensinger, MS¹. (1) Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania, 921 Blockley Hall, 423 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6021, 215-573-6011, dnelson@cceb.med.upenn.edu, (2) Center for Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania, 920 Blockley Hall, 423 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6021, (3) Department of Biostatistic and Epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania, 602 Blockley Hall, 423 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6021

The influence of interpersonal violence on the risk of spontaneous abortion is unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between current and past experiences with violence and the risk of spontaneous abortion. 1097 pregnant women presenting to the emergency department at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania from January 1999 through August, 2001 were recruited and followed through 22 weeks gestation. Cases were women who experienced a spontaneous abortion (n=364) and controls were women who maintained their pregnancy through 22 weeks (n=733). Women were asked standardized questions regarding intimate-related violence (including physical assault and controlling behavior), as well as violence perpetrated by acquaintances, family, and strangers. We assessed exposure to violence during the index pregnancy as well as past episodes of violence. Urine samples were collected to assess cotinine, cocaine and marijuana use. Fourteen percent of women reported experiencing physical assault during the index pregnancy, with 64% of these episodes by the woman's most recent intimate partner. In addition, almost 50% of women reported one or more past episode of violence by an intimate partner during her lifetime. However, we found no relationship between any of the measures of current and past of violence by either an intimate partner, acquaintance, family, or stranger and the risk of spontaneous abortion adjusting for other factors. Although current and past violence is very prevalent, our study did not find a relationship between violence and early pregnancy loss.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the distinct measures of violence both current and past violence as well as a catergorization of the perpetrator,
• Examine the role of violence and the risk of spontaneous abortion, and 3)Address the findings of the study in terms of usage of health services, pregnancy risks and long-term health issues.

Keywords: Violence, Pregnancy Outcomes

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.