182004 Differences in intimate partner violence among women with and without a disability

Monday, October 27, 2008: 9:00 AM

Brian S. Armour, PhD , NCBDDD/DHDD/Disability and Health Team, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Lesley A. Wolf, MPH , SAIC Contractor for NCBDDD/DHDD/Disability and Health Team, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Monika Mitra, PhD , Center for Health Policy and Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Shrewbury, MA
Matthew Brieding, PhD , National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, CDC, Atlanta, GA
To prevent violence and violence related morbidity and mortality one must first identify risk factors associated with victimization. Evidence in the public health literature suggests that women with a disability are at increased risk of intimate partner violence. Previous research has also suggested that the preventive healthcare needs of women with disabilities often go unmet. We discuss analysis of surveillance data to identify differences in intimate partner violence among women with and those without a disability. Data collected from seven states and one territory as part of the 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) were used to estimate disability prevalence and state-level differences in intimate partner violence among women with and without a disability. Women with a disability were more likely than those without a disability to report ever being hit, slapped, pushed, kicked, or physically hurt (30.6% vs. 15.7%; p<0.01) by an intimate partner. Similarly, women with a disability were more likely to have experienced unwanted sex by an intimate partner (19.7% vs. 8.2%; p<0.01) than those without a disability. This epidemiologic evidence identifies an opportunity for federal, state, and local stakeholders to form new partnerships to better align disability and violence prevention programs and policies. Furthermore, it identifies the need for comprehensive violence prevention programs that will enhance public awareness and increase resource allocation to reduce violence against women with a disability.

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe intimate partner violence rates among women with and without a disability using BRFSS data from 2006 2. Identify disparities in intimate partner violence rates for women with a disability

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have conducted and collaborated with the co-author on the analyses and writings presented.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Disability Surveillance
See more of: Disability