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Pregnancy-associated assault hospitalizations.
Harold B Weiss1, Bruce A Lawrence, Ted R Miller
1Center for Injury Research and Control, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA. hw@injurycontrol.com
Obstetrics and Gynecology
|October 18, 2002
Summary
Pregnant women face a higher hospitalization rate for assaults, but this is linked to lower admission thresholds and higher assault rates in younger, non-white populations. They are a sensitive, not high-risk, group.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Obstetrics & Gynecology
Background:
- Assaults during pregnancy pose significant health risks.
- Understanding the epidemiology of pregnancy-associated assaults is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of pregnancy-associated hospitalized assaults.
- To compare assault risk in pregnant versus non-pregnant women.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 1997 statewide hospital discharge data from 19 states.
- Applied International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision (ICD-9-CM) criteria for pregnancy and injury.
- Compared assault-related hospitalizations between pregnant and all women using rate ratios and severity stratification.
Main Results:
- 10% of 7402 assault-related injuries were pregnancy-associated.
- Pregnant women had a 3.14 times higher hospitalization rate for assaults (65 vs. 21 per 100,000 person-years).
- Younger pregnant women (15-19) showed a significantly higher assault rate ratio (7.22), but severity-adjusted differences diminished.
Conclusions:
- Pregnant women are more likely to be hospitalized for assaults, influenced by lower admission thresholds.
- Increased assault rates in young and non-white pregnant women contribute to this disparity.
- Pregnant women should be considered a "sensitive" rather than a "high-risk" group for assaults.