The prevalence and characteristics of battered women in a primary care setting

Nurse Pract. 1989 Jun;14(6):47, 50, 53-6.

Abstract

Estimates are that 2 million women are battered each year by their male partner. To prevent battering and promote physical safety, Planned Parenthood of Houston and Southeast Texas added four abuse-assessment questions to the standard intake form for all initial and annual-visit clients. To establish the prevalence of battering, all intake forms completed at four clinics during a one-month period were analyzed. A total of 793 forms were reviewed. The prevalence of physical battering was 8.2 percent. When the characteristics of the battered women were compared with the non-battered, statistically significant differences existed. Information on the health consequences of battering are presented along with suggested assessment questions.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Nursing Assessment
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Primary Health Care*
  • Social Support
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Spouse Abuse*
  • Stress, Psychological / complications