Mental Health Needs Loom Larger for Victims of Partner Violence

1. Determine health needs of women in Kalamazoo who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) or sexual assault (SA). 

2. Assess receptivity to health care delivery options. 

A cross-sectional survey with a convenience sample of 58 adult female (18+) utilizers of the YWCA Domestic Assault Program (YWCA-DAP) or Sexual Assault Program (YWCA-SAP) (shelter, legal advocacy, counseling, SANE).  Participants completed anonymous written surveys. The HITS instrument assessed current IPV.

Respondent demographics reflected the YWCA-DAP and SAP population: 62.1% identified as Black, 27.6% as White, 94.8% had children, 70.7% were single and 48.6% were employed.  More than a third (39.6%) rated their health status as “very good” or “excellent” (5-point Likert scale); 32.8% indicating that abuse affected their health “a lot.”  Mental health was the most common unmet need for participants and their children (39.7% versus 19.0% for unmet physical needs).   Most women (75.9%) had health insurance and reported no difficulties obtaining medical care (63.8%).  Based on the HITS, 87.9% of participants met criteria for current IPV.  Women were most likely to utilize case management (60.3% “very likely”).  Half (50.0%) were “very likely” to use a health clinic located at the YWCA.  Women were almost equally inclined to use a mobile clinic in their neighborhood (41.4% “very likely”) or a healthcare provider specially trained to work with abused women (39.7%).

Abused women in Kalamazoo rate mental health as the greatest un-met need.   Women endorsed several healthcare delivery styles; their greatest preference was for care coordination and on-site clinic.