Help-Seeking Behaviors of Abused Women in an Abortion Clinic Population

Women who seek induced abortion procedures experience high rates of intimate partner violence, yet little is known about their help-seeking behaviors. 

Using data collected from patients attending a large Midwestern clinic who screened positive for intimate partner violence, we analyzed how help-seeking women differed from women not seeking help and those not disclosing their help-seeking behavior. 

We measured current and planned resource use and evaluated self-perceived helpfulness of resources. Severe battering, physical and/or sexual abuse, frequent sexual abuse, increased relationship length, and employment were positively associated with help-seeking. 

Nearly half of women who screened positive for abuse in the past year had already sought or planned to seek help, indicating this population is receptive to intervention.

Purchase full article at:   http://goo.gl/MgWCQz

By:   Megan R. W. TePoel1, Audrey F. Saftlas1, Anne B. Wallis1, Karisa Harland1, Corinne Peek-Asa1⇑

¹University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA

Corinne Peek-Asa, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa College of Public Health (http://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/), 145 N. Riverside Dr., Room S143 CPHB, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. Email: corinne-peek-asa@uiowa.edu

More at:  https://twitter.com/hiv insight

And: http://twitter.com/Prison Health