Citation

Schollenberger J, Campbell JC, Sharps PW, O'Campo P, Gielen AC, Dienemann J, Kub J. Violence Against Women 2003; 9(5): 599-618.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1077801202250451

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Intimate partner violence has been demonstrated to be a significant public health problem among African American women. This study provided an opportunity to examine prevalence of intimate partner violence and health consequences among a group of primarily middle-class, employed African American women enrolled in a privately insured HMO (n = 109 abused and 97 never-abused women). Significantly more abused African American women were divorced or widowed and had incomes less than $50,000 a year. Abused women had more health problems (central nervous system, gynecological, STDs, gastrointestinal), more health problems per medical visits, and more emergency room visits (p < .05) compared to never-abused women. The health consequences of abuse and its association with health disparities are discussed.