The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

5112.0: Wednesday, November 13, 2002 - 1:10 PM

Abstract #41077

Making the link: The relationship between police-reported intimate partner violence and maternal and infant health outcomes

Sherry Lipsky, PhD, MPH, Internal Medicine, CPIU, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 400 S. Zang, Suite 520, Dallas, TX 75208, 214-676-7604, lipsky@u.washington.edu, Victoria L. Holt, PhD, MPH, Dept. of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Box 358080 (MP 474), Seattle, WA 98195-8080, Cathy W. Critchlow, PhD, MS, HPV Research Group, University of Washington, Box 359933, Seattle, WA 98195, and Thomas R. Easterling, MD, OB-GYN, University of Washington Medical Center, Box 356460, Seattle, WA 98195.

Purpose. Adverse maternal and infant health outcomes may be associated with intimate partner violence (IPV) although studies to date have been inconsistent. This study utilizes a novel approach to examine the relationship between IPV during pregnancy and adverse maternal and infant outcomes. Methods. This is a retrospective cohort study of Seattle women reporting IPV during pregnancy from 1995 through 1998. Computerized Seattle police and Washington State birth and hospitalization records were linked to identify subjects, and police records abstracted to determine the type and severity of violence. The association of IPV and adverse outcomes were analyzed using unconditional logistic regression. Results. Women reporting any IPV were more likely to have a low birth weight (LBW) infant (OR 1.96, CI 1.39, 2.75), a preterm birth (PTB; OR 1.61, CI 1.14, 2.28), and an infant death (4.30, CI 1.81, 10.22). They were also more likely to have been hospitalized during pregnancy (OR 2.39, CI 1.77, 3.24), particularly with substance abuse and mental health-related diagnoses. These findings remained significant after taking into account demographic factors and obstetric history. Moderate physical IPV was significantly associated with very LBW and very PTB, and moderate and severe physical IPV were also associated with hospitalization during pregnancy. Conclusions. The findings in this study reveal the considerable impact of IPV during pregnancy on women and their infants as well as on health services. Identifying women at risk, developing successful interventions, and informing the legal system are critical to IPV prevention on multiple levels.

Learning Objectives: This session will describe the relationship of intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy to maternal and infant outcomes. At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

Keywords: Domestic Violence, MCH Epidemiology

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.

Violence Against Women: Current Research

The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA