Lifetime and current abuse, pregnancy risks, and outcomes among Native American women

This study examines the effects of current abuse, battering during pregnancy, and lifetime physical and sexual abuse on pregnancy risks and outcomes among 30 urban Native American women. One-third of the women in this study were battered during the index pregnancy, and nearly two-thirds had been abused by their current partner. All but 3 women had experienced physical or sexual abuse in their lifetime, and nearly three-fourths had been multiply abused. Significant relationships were found between current partner abuse, decreased birth weight, and inadequate prenatal care. The variable, increased lifetime abuse events, was significantly associated with increased risk factors for preterm birth/low birth weight. High rates of substance use and sexually transmitted diseases were noted among women in this study. Further research is needed to examine abuse and relationships between abuse and pregnancy risks and outcomes among Native American women.