NCJ Number
219043
Journal
Trauma, Violence, & Abuse Volume: 8 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2007 Pages: 105-116
Date Published
April 2007
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This review of research on intimate partner violence (IPV) during a victim's pregnancy focuses on the injury and mortality risks for mothers and their infants; the association between IPV and perinatal health disparities; and recommendations for practice, policy, and research.
Abstract
Research reported between 2001 and 2006 showed that IPV suffered before and during pregnancy was linked with increased risk for preterm delivery, infants' low birth weight, and neonatal deaths. IPV during pregnancy is associated with increased premature rupture of membranes, along with other physical changes such as variability in heart performance and higher levels of maternal hormones. Health disparities--defined as differences in access to care processes of health care, and health outcomes--are likely to occur for minority IPV victims. Adverse perinatal health disparities include infant mortality, maternal mortality, preterm labor, pregnancy-related hypertension, diabetes, placenta previa, and infections. African-American women have the highest infant mortality rates, at least twice as high as the national rates for all women. Two recent large, prospective studies found that African-American and younger women are at increased risk for IPV before, during, and/or after pregnancy. Recommendations for practice pertain to universal screening of all pregnant women, universal screening of women during well-child visits, referrals of IPV victims to community resources, and nurse case management services for complicated cases. Recommendations for policy include institutional policies that promote and enforce screening in health care systems, standardized methods for assessing and documenting screening, continued support and funding for IPV victim assistance, and social policies that support the education and full employment of women. Six recommendations pertain to research. 37 references