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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Roy Grant, MA¹, Lourdes Lynch, PhD², Sharon Joseph, MD², Anita Beecham, MD³, and Alan Shapiro, MD². (1) The Children's Health Fund, 215 West 125th Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10027, (2) Community Pediatrics, Children's Hospital at Montefiore, 317 East 64th Street, New York, NY 10021, 212-535-97, ashapiro@montefiore.org, (3) Family Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, 317 East 64th Street, New York, NY NY

This study describes the health care needs of families recently exposed to domestic violence (DV) in New York City DV shelters. We reviewed electronic health records for 316 pediatric patients (mean age, 49 months; 57% male) and 203 adult patients (mean age, 26 years), mothers of pediatric patients. All were 2004 patients of the New York Children's Health Project, a service of The Children's Health Fund. Demographics: 63% black, 32% Hispanic, 4% white, 1% other. Pediatric asthma prevalence: 27%; anemia (<36 months): 14%; otitis media (<24 months): 24%; obesity (BMI=>95th percentile, 6 years and older): 26%. Comparisons were made with our recent study of homeless children (N=520) and mothers (N=200) in family shelters. Rates of medical problems for DV pediatric patients were lower. Up-to-date for immunizations (19-35 months) was higher (90%; p<.01). Diagnosed developmental and behavioral problems were higher: (43%; p<.01): The mothers had less acute and chronic illness than homeless mothers, but had more psychiatric problems (52% diagnosed, p<.01). Of children linked to a parent in the adult data base (N=205), 50% had a mother with a psychiatric diagnosis; 35% had a mother diagnosed with depression. Maternal depression was significantly associated with child developmental and psychiatric diagnoses (p<.01). Children under 6 years with a depressed mother: 32% developmentally delayed; 21% psychiatric diagnosis. Children in domestic violence shelters are in better health than homeless children but have more diagnosed developmental and emotional problems. A contributing factor appears to be maternal depression. Their mothers have a high rate of psychiatric disorders.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• Understand the health and mental health care needs of mothers and children recently exposed to domestic violence.
• Understand how families in domestic violence shelters differ from those in homeless shelters in terms of their health and mental health care needs.
• Understand the impact of maternal depression on early development in families impacted by domestic violence.

Keywords: Domestic Violence, Underserved

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered