Citation

Halpern LR, Cho R, Rogers J, Padron V, Isaza S, Southerland J, Ferguson-Young D, Tabatabai M, Gangula P. Violence Gend. 2016; 3(4): 181-188.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Mary Ann Liebert Publishers)

DOI

10.1089/vio.2016.0011

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global public health epidemic, associated with adverse health outcomes. Dental providers are pivotal to surveillance since 75% of injuries are facial. This study describes the association among IPV exposure, facial injury, and adverse health outcomes. The prevalence of IPV was measured using facial injury location and the partner violence screen (PVS); poor health by the Partner Abuse Symptom Scale (PASS) and saliva assessment as a risk indicator for IPV exposure. Seventy-eight females (African Americans [AA], 37; non-African American [non-AA], 41 aged 18-64) were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Predictor variables: Head, neck, or facial (HNF) injury location; two questionnaires: PVS, the PASS, and demographics were measured, as well as salivary cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and C-reactive protein; outcome variable: present/past self-reported IPV. Statistics were computed using SPSS. IPV prevalence was observed in 51.3% (40/78) of patients. Facial injuries, PVS, chest pain, and heart palpitation were significant for IPV+ patients (p < 0.05). Stress, PTSD, and depression were significantly greater in IPV+ African-American females (AA; p < 0.01). DHEA was decreased in IPV+ participants (p < 0.034). This is the first study to identify the prevalence of IPV in AA vs. non-AA female dental patients. HNF and PVS were statistically significant for IPV exposure. AA females had a statistically significant increase in PTSD and depression (p < 0.01). These risk predictors may assist the dental provider in identifying IPV exposure, poor health, as well as serve as the gatekeeper to increase community awareness and decrease IPV injuries.

Language: en