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Abstract
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Objective: To determine what percentage of battered gravidas are victims of domestic violence, and to identify risk factors, assailants, injuries, and obstetric/perinatal outcomes.
Methods: Gravid battery victims were prospectively studied from October 1995 to September 1995. Predisposing factors studied were age, race, marital status, and drug use. In domestic violence, items listed in the objective were noted. Significance was tested using [chi]2.
Results: The prevalence of battery was 0.8% (78 cases). Significant associations were seen for marital status, black race, and drug use, but not age and parity. Blacks accounted for 82% of battery victims. Drug use was seen in 52.9% of battery victims. The most common drug used was cocaine, followed by alcohol. Domestic violence accounted for 56.4% of batteries. The most common assailant was the husband/boyfriend (77.3%); 89.5% of patients were unmarried. One mother was murdered. The perinatal mortality rate was 3.2%. Seen were abruptions (2), preterm labor (5), preterm delivery (3), and preterm premature rupture of membranes (2). An increase in uterine activity was strongly associated with a blow to the abdomen. Fifty percent of patients struck in the abdomen will have increased uterine activity; 5.4% of patients without abdominal trauma still will have uterine activity.
Conclusions: More than 50% of pregnant battery victims are victims of domestic violence. Risk factors are unmarried, black race, and drug use. The assailant is usually the husband/boyfriend. Beatings/kickings are most common, resulting in increased uterine activity. |