Domestic violence among patients at two rural health care clinics: prevalence and social correlates

Abstract

Despite a growing body of knowledge concerning family abuse, there is little research focusing on domestic violence in rural settings. Likewise, there is a paucity of research on family abuse among Hispanics. This study examined the prevalence of spousal abuse among predominately low income Hispanic patients of two rural health care clinics. The correlation of certain social factors to domestic violence also was examined. Survey data was collected from 155 adult female patients. Findings revealed a 19% prevalence rate. This rate corresponds to recent measures of domestic abuse nationwide. A bivariate analysis showed a significant positive relationship between spousal abuse and drug/alcohol use by victims' intimate partners. Abuse also was significantly related to the community location of the health care clinics. The article concludes by discussing implications of the study for rural domestic violence intervention, treatment, and research.