Asking pregnant women about domestic abuse.
- Resource Type
- Academic Journal
- Authors
- Keeling J; Birch L
- Source
- British Journal of Midwifery (BR J MIDWIFERY), Dec2004; 12(12): 746-749. (4p)
- Subject
- Language
- English
- ISSN
- 0969-4900
The aim of the research was to explore the prevalence and nature of domestic abuse experienced by women attending an early pregnancy unit and the correlation between demographic variables such as age and employment status. Participants were given the opportunity to identify if they agreed with these questions being asked in the clinic. 26% of women had experienced severe emotional or physical intimate partner abuse, whilst 9% had experienced physical abuse within the last year. There was a significant association between the age of the woman and the prevalence of domestic abuse. The majority of women feel that it is appropriate for health professionals to ask about experiences of domestic abuse when attending an Early Pregnancy Clinic.