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Multicenter Study
. 2000 Nov;15(11):811-7.
doi: 10.1046/j.1525-1497.2000.91217.x.

Prevalence and determinants of intimate partner abuse among public hospital primary care patients

H M Bauer  1 , M A Rodríguez, E J Pérez-Stable
Affiliations
Multicenter Study

Prevalence and determinants of intimate partner abuse among public hospital primary care patients

H M Bauer et al. J Gen Intern Med. 2000 Nov.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence, sociodemographic determinants, and depression correlates of intimate partner abuse among an ethnically diverse population of women patients.

Design: Cross-sectional telephone survey in English and Spanish of a random sample of women patients aged 18 to 46 years.

Setting: Three public hospital primary care clinics (general internal medicine, family medicine, and obstetrics/gynecology) in San Francisco, Calif.

Participants: We interviewed 734 (74%) of the 992 eligible participants. Thirty-one percent were non-Latina white, 31% African American, and 36% Latina.

Measurements and main results: Using questions adapted from the Abuse Assessment Screen, we determined recent and lifetime history of physical, sexual, and psychological abuse. Overall, 15% reported recent abuse by an intimate partner (in the preceding 12 months); lifetime prevalence was 51%. Recent abuse was more common among women aged 18 to 29 years (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2 to 3.7), non-Latinas (adjusted OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.0 to 2.9), and unmarried women (adjusted OR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.0 to 2.7). The prevalence of abuse did not differ by education, employment, or medical insurance status of the women. Compared with women with no history of abuse, a greater proportion of recently abused women reported symptoms of depression (adjusted OR, 3.5; 95% CI, 2.2 to 5.5).

Conclusions: Because a substantial proportion of women patients in primary care settings are abused, screening for partner abuse and depression is indicated. In contrast to other studies, lower socioeconomic status was not associated with partner abuse history.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Intimate partner abuse in 734 women seen in public clinics, San Francisco, 1997. Physical abuse was defined as having been hit, slapped, kicked, or otherwise physically hurt by a partner or ex-partner. Sexual abuse was defined as having been forced to have sexual activities by a partner or ex-partner. Threats included when a partner or ex-partner made the patient feel afraid or unsafe. Recent was defined as the previous 12 months.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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