EXPERIENCING PHYSICAL VIOLENCE DURING PREGNANCY - PREVALENCE AND CORRELATES

Violence during pregnancy directly impacts the mental and physical hea lth of pregnant women. We assessed the prevalence and correlates of ph ysical violence around the time of pregnancy in a representative sampl e of 6,718 women in South Carolina. Physical violence, defined as ''be ing physically hurt by husband or partner'' or ''being involved in a p hysical fight'' was reported by 10.9% of recently pregnant women. Thes e were correlates of violence: experiencing increased numbers of stres sful life events, being unmarried, having increased parity, being on M edicaid, and having an unwanted pregnancy. Screening to identify Viole nce in pregnancy in health care settings is vital to maternal and chil d health. However, identifying Violence is not enough; community resou rces and clinic-based support are needed to help women deal with viole nce in their lives.