TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2024//
TI  - Pregnancy-associated firearm mortality in the United States, 2008- 2019
JO  - American journal of preventive medicine
A1  - Joseph, Naima T.
A1  - Prater, Laura
A1  - Modest, Anna M.
SP  - ePub
EP  - ePub
VL  - ePub
IS  - ePub
N2  - INTRODUCTION: This study analyzed the contribution of firearms to pregnancy-associated mortality from homicide and suicide. <br><br>METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study using the CDC's National Violent Death Reporting System from 2008 - 2019. Women aged 15-44 years who died by suicide (intentional self-harm) and homicide where a firearm was involved were included. Persons without known pregnancy status were excluded. Pregnancy-associated deaths were defined as those that occurred during pregnancy or within 1 year of pregnancy (early and late postpartum). Sociodemographic characteristics, social, and circumstantial differences were compared in pregnancy-associated and non-pregnant deaths. Data analysis was conducted in 2022 - 2023. <br><br>RESULTS: A total of 1,803 homicide and 1,929 suicide deaths from firearms were included. Twenty-two percent (n=388) and 11% (n=212) of firearm homicides and suicides respectively, were pregnancy-associated. Victims of pregnancy associated homicide were predominantly Black (54.8%), single (76%), and had high school diploma or equivalent degree (41.2%). Victims of pregnancy-associated suicide were predominantly White (80.5%). Among pregnancy-associated homicides and suicides, deaths occurred more frequently during pregnancy (63.4% and 40.3%). Compared to non-pregnancy associated homicides, pregnancy-associated homicides more frequently occurred in the victim's home (51.5% vs 46.7%, p=0.02) and was related to ongoing conflict or violence between a current or former partner (61.6% vs 51.9%, p < 0.001). Compared to non-pregnancy-associated suicide, pregnancy-associated suicides more frequently occurred in those who experienced intimate partner violence within a month of death (4.2% vs 1.3%, p=0.005). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: While there are differences in demographic characteristics between victims, interpersonal violence is associated with both pregnancy-associated homicides and suicides where a firearm was involved.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0749-3797
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2024.02.022
ID  - ref1
ER  -