Universal screening for domestic violence in abortion

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the policy of universal screening for domestic violence in an abortion clinic. Compliance with the policy was low, because only 254 of 499 women seen were asked the screening questions: 58% of Caucasians, 40% of East Asians, and 37% of South Asians were screened (P =.003). Of the 254 women asked about abuse, 38 said they had been abused in the past 12 months, giving a prevalence rate of domestic violence similar to that of the general population. Screening for domestic violence in women presenting for abortion is challenging, but feasible.