Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #111536

LaTasha McKenzie Mack, PhD, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, 80 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive, SE, 13th Floor, Atlanta, GA 30303, 404-778-1489, mlmcken@emory.edu, Anuradha Paranjape, MD, MPH, Department of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, 49 Jesse Hill Jr Dr, SE, Atlanta, GA 30303, and Nancy Thompson, PhD, MPH, Rollins School of Public Health, Behavioral Sciences and Health Education Department, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322.

BACKGROUND: Family violence (FV) is a common public health problem, yet little is known about older African American (AA) women's perceptions of FV. The purpose of this study was to identify perceptions of FV, including behaviors, risk and protective factors, and sources of help, unique to this population. METHODS: Participants were 30 AA women over age 50 seeking services at an ambulatory medicine clinic of a large, inner-city public hospital. Six focus group interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. Using grounded theory methods, content was analyzed for common themes. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 61 (range: 50 –79). Most participants agreed older AA women are often affected by FV and one-third reported being victims of FV. Participants identified neglect, financial exploitation, and emotional, physical, and sexual abuse as forms of FV experienced in their community. Common risk factors for FV were poor physical and mental health of the victim and substance abuse by the abuser. Protective factors were spirituality, being ‘strong,' and being family matriarch. Participants identified sources of help as ‘people who care' about them, including clergy, family, and friends. Interestingly, health professionals were not readily identified as sources of help. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge and experience of FV is common among older inner-city AA women. Unfortunately, healthcare providers are not readily identified as sources of help for older victims of FV. To better address this public health issue and to better provide services to this community, providers should incorporate inquiry of FV into patient visits.

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