Using multiple data sources to inform violence against women policy, service and prevention efforts: The challenge of assessing prevalence at the state level

Background/Significance: 

Despite the public health importance of violence against women (VAW), more than 10 years have passed since the last national survey.  Existing datasets are typically administrative in nature and not well-suited to analysis.  Furthermore, the lack of state-specific prevalence data has likely limited the ability of public health professionals to influence local policy and assure the availability of services.

 

Objective/Purpose: 

Describe and discuss the strengths and limitations of at least 16 separate New Hampshire (NH) VAW data sources in an effort to assess lifetime prevalence of VAW for the purpose of informing policy, service and prevention efforts.

 

Methods: 

Collect summary statistics from 16 datasets and critically assess the strengths and limitations of each based on quality, relevance, accessibility, timeliness, and usefulness in establishing prevalence.  A random digit dial (RDD) survey (n=508) was conducted to supplement existing data sources.

 

Results: 

Despite limitations, existing data sources are useful in describing VAW.  These data sources often fall short in establishing prevalence and can be supplemented by other one-time data collection methods.  A fall 2006 survey indicates that lifetime prevalence of sexual assault among adult women in NH is approximately 23%.

 

Discussion/Conclusions:

·  While existing data sources in NH are not ideal for establishing prevalence, they can be used to contextually enrich results from an RDD prevalence survey.

·  Data collection to provide statewide incidence and sub-state prevalence and incidence is often cost prohibitive.

·  Lifetime prevalence of sexual assault among adult women in NH is higher than indicated by previous national studies.