Health-related consequences of physical and sexual violence: Women in the military

Objectives: To identify differences in health-related quality of life among women veterans who were raped, physically assaulted (not in the context of rape or domestic violence), both, or neither during military service. Methods: We did a cross-sectional telephone survey of a national sample of 558 women veterans who served in Vietnam and subsequent eras of military se rvice. A stratified survey design selected subjects according to era of ser vice and location. The interview included socioeconomic information, lifeti me violence history, the Women's Military Environment Survey to assess wome n's military experiences, and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 to a ssess health-related quality of life. Results: Five hundred thirty-seven women completed the interview. Half (48% ) experienced violence during military service, including rape (30%), physi cal assault (35%), or both (16%). Women who were raped or dually victimized were more likely to report chronic health problems, prescription medicatio n use for emotional problems, failure to complete college, and annual incom es less than $25,000 (P < .05). Women who were physically assaulted or rape d reported significantly lower health-related quality of life (P < .05). Th ose who had both traumas reported the most severe impairment, comparable to women with chronic illnesses. Conclusion: This study suggests that the sequelae of violence against women are an important public health concern. More than a decade after rape or p hysical assault during military service, women reported severely decreased health-related quality of life, with limitations of physical and emotional health, educational and financial attainment, and severe, recurrent problem s with work and social activities. (Obstet Gynecol 2000;96:473-80.).