Citation

Roche M, Moracco KE, Dixon KS, Stern EA, Bowling JM. N. Carol. Med. J. 2007; 68(2): 89-94.

Affiliation

Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Medical Society of the State of North Carolina)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

17566552

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This paper identifies comorbid factors among female emergency department (ED) patients who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV). METHODS: 321 adult female patients completed self-administered questionnaires while in an urban North Carolina emergency department. IPV was assessed by questioning whether the patient had ever been afraid of a partner, physically hurt or threatened by a partner, or forced to have sex by a partner. RESULTS: One third of all female patients reported at least one form of IPV in their lifetimes. IPV was associated with a low self-rating of physical and mental health, frequent visits to the ED, and problems with alcohol, drugs, and mental health. In multivariate analysis, only a history ofalcohol and mental health problems and a low self-rating of mental health remained significant. CONCLUSIONS: The findings illustrate the need for IPV screening protocols that address mental health and substance abuse and also emphasize the importance ofscreening all women for IPV.

Language: en