Physical Violence During the 12 Months Preceding Childbirth—Alaska, Maine, Oklahoma, and West Virginia, 1990-1991

This study examined the prevalence of physical violence against women during the 12 months preceding childbirth and its relation to maternal characteristics in Alaska Maine Oklahoma and West Virginia. Using the 1990 and the 1991 data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System varied percentages of women reporting physical abuse among the four states were noted: from 3.8% in Maine to 6.9% in Oklahoma. Overall the report indicated that in each state higher rates of physical violence were associated with low educational attainment race marital status age living conditions participation in prenatal care and unintended pregnancy. In addition this article cites recommendations for health care providers to be aware of the risk among all pregnant women; for efforts to effectively identify victims; for evaluations of intervention programs; and for further examinations of the patterns of violence during pregnancy.