Citation

Chisholm CA, Bullock L, Ferguson JEJ. Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 2017; 217(2): 141-144.

Affiliation

W. Norman Thornton, Jr., Professor and Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Virginia, School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA. Electronic address: jef2a@virginia.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ajog.2017.05.042

PMID

28551446

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health problem in our society, affecting women disproportionately. IPV takes many forms, including physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, and psychological aggression. While the scope of IPV is not fully documented, nearly 40% of women in the US are victims of sexual violence in their lifetimes and 20% are victims of physical IPV. Other forms of IPV are likely particularly underreported. IPV has a substantial impact on a woman's physical and mental health. Physical disorders include the direct consequences of injuries sustained after physical violence, such as fractures, lacerations and head trauma, sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies as a consequence of sexual violence, and various pain disorders. Mental health impacts include an increased risk of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicide. These adverse health effects are amplified in pregnancy, with an increased risk of pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth, low birth weight and small for gestational age. In many US localities, suicide and homicide are leading causes of pregnancy-associated mortality. We herein review the issues noted above in greater depth, and introduce the basic principles of IPV prevention. We separately address current recommendations for IPV screening and the evidence surrounding effectiveness of IPV interventions.

Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Language: en

Keywords

intimate partner violence; physical violence; psychological aggression; reproductive coercion; sexual violence; stalking