Citation

Campbell JC. Lancet 2002; 359(9314): 1331-1336.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/S0140-6736(02)08336-8

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Intimate partner violence, which describes physical or sexual assault, or both, of a spouse or sexual Intimate, is a common health-care issue. In this article, I have reviewed research on the mental and physical health sequelae of such violence. Increased health problems such as injury, chronic pain, gastrointestinal, and gynaecological signs including sexually-transmitted diseases, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder are well documented by controlled research in abused women in various settings. Intimate partner violence has been noted in 3--13% of pregnancles in many studies from around the world, and is associated with detrimental outcomes to mothers and infants. I recommend increased assessment and interventions for intimate partner violence in health-care settings.