Citation

Saltzman LE. Atlanta Med. 1990; 64(3): 45-48.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1990, Medical Association of Atlanta)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

12295334

Abstract

Battering or physical abuse of women by their husbands or partners is not only a serious problem, but also a major public health problem. Battering during pregnancy affected 4-8% of pregnant women presenting to public and private prenatal clinics in rural and metropolitan areas, of which 11-23% had been physically abused. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists provides standardized protocols to help hospital personnel identify battered women among trauma patients in emergency departments. These include headaches, insomnia, choking sensation, hyperventilation, shyness, fright, embarrassment, and others. Battering may be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes such as low birth-weight infants, handicapped children secondary to trauma received during antenatal period, and miscarriage. Interventions strategies include: 1) increased education for physicians and easy availability of information about abuse; 2) physically abused women are given information about women's rights, available community resources, and strategies dealing with abusive relationships; and 3) community prevention programs.