Citation

Lown EA, Vega WA. Am. J. Public Health 2001; 91(3): 441-445.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, USA. alown@arg.org

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, American Public Health Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

11236411

PMCID

PMC1446622

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study determined the lifetime prevalence of physical abuse by a current partner among women of Mexican origin and assessed factors associated with abuse. METHODS: Data are for a subsample of 1,155 women with current partners from a larger population-based cross-sectional survey of US residents of Mexican origin. RESULTS: The self-reported prevalence of physical abuse by a current partner was 10.7%. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with physical abuse included US birthplace (odds ratio = 2.1; 95% confidence interval = 1.24, 3.56), young age, urban residence, and having 4 or more children. Social support and regular church attendance were protective. CONCLUSIONS: The self-reported prevalence of physical abuse among Mexican American women is high. US birth is associated with increased risk of abuse. Community-based prevention efforts should be aimed at this population.