Citation

Taggart L, Mattson S. Health Care Women Int. 1996; 17(1): 25-34.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

8707695

Abstract

This comparative evaluation and cross-cultural survey investigated the relationship between the occurrence of woman battering and the delay in seeking prenatal care in the US. The study population consisted of 502 pregnant women from three ethnic groups: Blacks (132), Hispanics (208), and Whites (162). Findings showed that 21% of the women experienced physical harm during pregnancy and delayed prenatal care because of injuries. The investigation found no significant cross-ethnic differences in the incidence of abuse and the rate at which these women delayed their prenatal visits, although women in the three ethnic groups claimed they did delay seeking prenatal care because of abuse. Moreover, battered women in the three groups sought prenatal care 6.5 weeks later than women who were not in an abusive situation. The degree of delay noted in this study supports the need to include questions about battering during routine medical examinations. This study also suggests that battered women should be involved in the surveillance programs for women who were monitored for adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Language: en