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ObjectiveIntimate partner violence (IPV) describes physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse. During pregnancy, IPV has substantial negative implications for maternal and child health. The aim of the present study was to better understand the prevalence and sociodemographic and psychiatric correlates of IPV among pregnant females in the emergency department (ED).MethodsUsing the 2016 Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS), logistic regression was employed to examine the relationship between IPV during pregnancy, sociodemographic factors, substance abuse and mental health disorders.ResultsBivariate analyses indicated that approximately 0.06% of pregnant women who visited EDs in 2016 were coded as experiencing abuse by a spouse or partner. Pregnant women abused by a spouse or partner were more likely to have a diagnosis of each of the disorders coded as complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium examined in this study, including alcohol use (0.77%, aOR 8.38, 95% CI 2.80 to 29.50), drug use (2.26%, aOR 3.49, 95% CI 1.60 to 6.15), tobacco use (11.05%, aOR 1.90, 95% CI 1.34 to 2.54) and general mental disorders (4.13%, aOR 2.64, 95% CI 1.60 to 4.79).ConclusionScreening for IPV in EDs, especially among at-risk women identified in this study, may lead to referrals and coordination of care that could reduce the violence and improve maternal and child health outcomes.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a public health dilemma that disproportionately affects minority women in the United States. The present study utilized data from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW II) to examine the longitudinal course of IPV outcomes reported by minority women involved with Child Protective Services (CPS). Our findings highlight the heterogeneity of the relationship between IPV and mental or physical health based on race/ethnicity. Nonetheless, additional research is necessary to investigate the impact of IPV severity on physical and mental health outcomes to ultimately facilitate race-specific interventions for women involved with CPS.

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