TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2002//
TI  - Prevalence and patterns of intimate partner violence among adolescent mothers during the postpartum period
JO  - Archives of pediatrics and adolescent medicine
A1  - Harrykissoon, Samantha D.
A1  - Rickert, Vaughn I.
A1  - Wiemann, Constance M.
SP  - 325
EP  - 330
VL  - 156
IS  - 4
N2  - OBJECTIVE: To examine prevalence, frequency, severity, and patterns of intimate partner violence (IPV) during the first 24 months' post partum within a multiethnic cohort of adolescents. DESIGN: A prospective study of adolescent girls followed up for 24 months into the postpartum period. Follow-up surveys were completed at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months' post partum. Overall, 74% completed at least 4 of the 5 follow-up surveys. SETTING: Postpartum unit at a university teaching hospital in Galveston, Tex. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 570 adolescents (18 years or younger; 219 Mexican Americans, 182 African Americans, and 169 European Americans) completed face-to-face interviews within 48 hours of delivery and returned at least 4 of 5 follow-up surveys. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of IPV and frequent and severe IPV. RESULTS: Prevalence of IPV was highest at 3 months' post partum (21%) and lowest at 24 months (13%). The percentage of assaulted mothers who experienced severe IPV increased from 40% to 62% across this period. Seventy-five percent of mothers reporting IPV during pregnancy also reported IPV within 24 months following delivery. Of importance, 78% who experienced IPV during the first 3 postpartum months had not reported IPV before delivery. Ethnic differences in IPV were observed at 3, 6, and 18 months' post partum. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents are at high risk for experiencing IPV during the postpartum period. Frequent screening for IPV by health care practitioners is critical to maximize detection.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1072-4710
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -