VICTIMIZATION FROM PHYSICAL VIOLENCE IN PENNSYLVANIA - PREVALENCE ANDHEALTH-CARE USE

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of interpersonal physical viol ence (IPV) among Pennsylvania adults, to identify the personal charact eristics of the victims, and to determine their health care use for re sulting injuries. Methods: Population-based data describing physical v iolence were obtained through a statewide telephone survey of 3,620 Pe nnsylvania adults selected from households by random-digit dialing in 1994. The prevalence and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of victimiza tion from IPV along with ED or other medical care facility use for IPV -related injuries were computed by several personal characteristics. L ogistic regression was used to compare victims of IPV and their levels of health care use, Results: The prevalence of reported victimization from IPV was 5.6% (95% CI = 4.9, 6.3), Significantly more victimizati on was reported by males, persons aged 18-29 years, those employed, an d unmarried persons, The proportion of victims who reported to have go ne to an ED or other medical care facility for IPV-related injury trea tment was 12.9%. Significantly more persons with annual household inco mes <$20,000 reported health care use for injuries resulting from IPV than did those with incomes of greater than or equal to$20,000 (OR = 3 .98; 95% CI = 1.27, 12.48). Health care use for injuries was not found to be related to gender, age, race, employment, or marital status. Co nclusions: This population-based study of health care use for IPV-rela ted injuries found that victims of physical violence in Pennsylvania w ere not only young and unmarried men, but also employed. Health care r ise for resulting injuries was greater among persons with lower income s.