Citation

Berenson AB, Stiglich NJ, Wilkinson GS, Anderson GD. Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 1991; 164(6 Pt 1): 1491-6; discussion 1496-9.

Affiliation

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77550.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1991, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

2048595

Abstract

This study investigated the prevalence and risk factors associated with physical abuse among a large tricultural population of White non-Hispanic, Black, and Hispanic pregnant women in the US. A total of 501 pregnant women (47.5% White non-Hispanic, 28.1% Black, and 24% Hispanic) attending a public prenatal clinic were interviewed. Results showed that 20% of the women questioned reported physical abuse; 29% were abused during pregnancy. Incidence of previous abuse was higher in White non-Hispanic women than in Black or Hispanic women. Abused women were more likely to be divorced, admit to illicit drug use, use alcohol, and smoke compared to nonabused women. An increased risk of previous physical abuse was observed among White non-Hispanic and Black women who used alcohol (OR = 3.0 and 6.0) or drugs (OR = 2.1 and 3.7) but not among Hispanic women. Relative risk of cocaine use was 4.7 among White non-Hispanic women, 4.7 for marijuana use among Black women, and 5.8 for tobacco use among Hispanic women.

Language: en