Gynaecological symptoms associated with physical and sexual violence
- 1 January 2008
- journal article
- Published by Taylor & Francis Ltd in Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology
- Vol. 29 (3), 167-175
- https://doi.org/10.1080/01674820701832770
Abstract
The study aims to describe the prevalence of violent physical and sexual experiences in female outpatients and to identify specific gynaecological symptoms that are associated with a history of abuse.We performed a cross-sectional study among native German women. The confidential self-administered questionnaire included items on physical and sexual abuse and on the patient's medical history. Of a total of 1941 eligible women, 730 (37.6%) participated in the survey. We calculated prevalence rates of physical and sexual abuse and compared victims and non-victims of violence with respect to specific symptoms and complaints. We developed multivariate models for pelvic pain and vaginal infection.The lifetime prevalence of severe physical violence by any kind of perpetrator was 35.5%. 13.5% of participants reported a completed rape. The lifetime prevalence of physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) was 28.3%. Physical and sexual abuse is significantly associated with irregular menstrual cycle, urinary tract infections and pelvic pain independent of menses.Physical and sexual violence are associated with many gynecological symptoms. Especially gynecologists and general practitioners have to be aware that their patients might be victims of violence. This is important for adequate diagnosis and therapy and to avoid retraumatization in affected women.Keywords
This publication has 25 references indexed in Scilit:
- Domestic violence: prevalence and association with gynaecological symptomsBJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2004
- Identifying violence among women patients attending family practices: the role of research in community changeJournal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 2004
- Prevalence of sexual abuse among women seeking gynecologic care in GermanyObstetrics & Gynecology, 2003
- The world report on violence and healthThe Lancet, 2002
- Health consequences of intimate partner violenceThe Lancet, 2002
- Multistate analysis of factors associated with intimate partner violenceAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2002
- Physical Health Consequences of Physical and Psychological Intimate Partner ViolenceArchives of Family Medicine, 2000
- The Revised Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS2)Journal of Family Issues, 1996
- The “Battering Syndrome”: Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Domestic Violence in Primary Care Internal Medicine PracticesAnnals of Internal Medicine, 1995
- The effects of woman abuse on health care utilization and health status: A literature reviewWomen's Health Issues, 1992