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Domestic violence screening of obstetric triage patients in a military population

Journal of Perinatology volume 32, pages 763–769 (2012)Cite this article

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Abstract

Objective:

The objective was to estimate the self-reported prevalence of domestic violence in a pregnant military population presenting for emergency care, and to determine the acceptability of domestic violence screening.

Study Design:

A prospective observational survey of patients presenting for obstetric emergency care. Women were anonymously screened for domestic violence using the Abuse Assessment Screen.

Result:

A total of 499 surveys were distributed, with 26 duplicate surveys. After excluding the 12 blank surveys, a total of 461 surveys were included in the final analysis. The lifetime prevalence of domestic violence (including physical, emotional and sexual abuse) was 22.6% (95% CI=19.0 to 26.4) with 4.1% (95% CI=2.3–6.0) of women reporting physical abuse in the past year and 2.8% (95% CI=1.3–4.3) reporting abuse since becoming pregnant. The majority of women 91.8% (95% CI=88.7–94.2) were not offended by domestic violence screening and 88.8% (95% CI=82.0–88.9) felt that patients should be routinely screened.

Conclusion:

The self-reported prevalence of domestic violence in a pregnant military population presenting for emergency care was 22.6%. Most women are not offended by domestic violence screening and support routine screening.

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Acknowledgements

Several of the authors are military service members. This work was prepared as part of their official duties. Title 17 USC 105 provides that ‘Copyright protection under this title is not available for any work of the United States Government.’ Title 17 USC 101 defines a United States Government work as a work prepared by a military service member or employee of the United States Government as part of that person's official duties. The Chief, Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Washington, DC, Clinical Investigation Program sponsored this study.

Disclaimer

The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Navy, Department of Defense, or the United States Government.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Portsmouth, VA, USA

    M A Lutgendorf, A Thagard & J M Busch

  2. Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center, Portsmouth, VA, USA

    P D Rockswold

  3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA

    E F Magann

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  1. M A Lutgendorf
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  2. A Thagard
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  4. J M Busch
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  5. E F Magann
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to M A Lutgendorf.

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Lutgendorf, M., Thagard, A., Rockswold, P. et al. Domestic violence screening of obstetric triage patients in a military population. J Perinatol 32, 763–769 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2011.188

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