Health e-News

SEPTEMBER 2006

In this issue...

Peer-Reviewed Publications

In the News

Announcements and Resources

Events/Conferences

PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

Maternal Depression and Violence Exposure Jeopardizes Children's School Performance and Interpersonal Skills

Findings from a national longitudinal survey of nearly 10,000 kindergarten students have shown that childhood exposure to maternal depression and/or violence are associated with lower scores in reading, mathematics, and general knowledge as well as more behavioral problems. Exposure to violence was defined as intimate partner violence (hitting or throwing things during a disagreement with a partner) and/or community violence (how much of a problem violent crime was in their neighborhood). Some of the key findings included:
• Depressive symptoms were more than twice as common among mothers exposed to violence compared to non-exposed mothers
• The lowest scores in reading, mathematics, and general knowledge and the highest prevalence of concerning child behaviors (problems with self-control, interpersonal skills, externalizing behavior, and internalizing behavior) were observed among children who were concurrently exposed to maternal depression and violence
• For all categories of school function, the combined effects of depression and violence were greater for boys than girls
• Interventions to reduce the adverse effects of maternal depression on children need to consider the influence of violence exposure and incorporate specific therapeutic strategies for childhood exposure to violence

“Maternal depression and violence exposure: double jeopardy for child school functioning” by Michael Silverstein, Marilyn Augustyn, Howard Cabral, and Barry Zuckerman can be downloaded at www.pediatrics.org

Intimate Partner Violence: Leading Cause of Total Disease and Injury for Women

Intimate partner violence (IPV) accounted for 7.9% of the overall disease burden among women, 18-44 years of age, according to data from the Women’s Safety Survey in Australia and the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health. For all ages combined, the prevalence of physical and sexual violence by a partner was 2.9% in the past 12 months and 17% of women disclosed IPV more than 12 months ago. The largest contribution to the burden of disease associated with IPV was poor mental health---depression, anxiety, and suicide accounted for approximately three-quarters (73%) of the total disease burden associated with IPV. Harmful health behaviors (tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs) accounted for 22% of the total disease burden due to IPV. IPV was a greater risk for poor health among women, ages 15 to 44 years, than tobacco, cholesterol, blood pressure, physical inactivity or other leading risk factors that are traditionally evaluated in burden of disease studies. IPV accounted for more disease among women of all ages than alcohol and illicit drugs combined.

“Measuring the impact of intimate partner violence on the health of women in Victoria, Australia” by T. Vos and colleagues can be downloaded from http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/en/

Domestic Violence is Associated with Induced Abortions

In a case-control study of 955 women who received hospital care for post-abortion complications, domestic violence was highly correlated with induced abortion. The study was conducted at Mulago Hospital in Uganda. Women who had induced abortions (cases) were 13.3 times more likely to disclose physical, sexual, or psychological violence by an intimate partner compared to women with spontaneous abortions (controls). Cases also reported more injuries on the abdomen, truck and head. Sixty-five percent of women who had an induced abortion said that domestic violence was a major factor in her decision-making process to terminate pregnancy. Domestic violence was a significant risk factor for women disclosed an unwanted pregnancy.

“Domestic violence as risk factor for unwanted pregnancy and induced abortion in Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda” by Dr. Dan K. Kaye and colleagues can be downloaded at: http://www.blackwell-synergy.com

Dating Violence Behaviors Common Among Adolescents

Nearly 1 out of 5 boys and 26% of girls reported using two or more forms of dating violence in relationships according to a Canadian survey of 633 boys and girls in 7th, 9th, and 11th grade. By 7th grade, one in three students had used at least one form of aggressive behavior in a dating relationship. Students were asked about physically, sexually, and psychologically abusive behaviors with a dating partner. Students’ attitudes toward violence and experiences with violence predicted their use of multiple forms of dating violence.

“Co-Occurrence of adolescent boys’ and girls’ use of psychologically, physically, and sexually abusive behaviours in their dating relationships” by Sears, Byers, and Price can be downloaded at www.sciencedirect.com

Higher Risk of Childhood Malnutrition in Homes with Intimate Partner Violence

A case-control study conducted in six pediatric hospitals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil examined the role of intimate partner violence as a risk factor for severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in children. Mean scores for verbal and physical aggression were significantly higher among parents of children hospitalized for SAM (cases) compared to parents of children hospitalized for a non-traumatic surgical disorder (controls). Severe physical violence, but not minor physical or verbal aggression, was associated with an increased risk of SAM even when important risk factors for malnutrition such as socio-economic status, alcohol and illicit drug misuse, and low birthweight were controlled for in the analyses. Intimate partner violence should be considered as a potential risk factor for SAM and intimate partner violence should be considered when a child is diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition.

“Parental violence and the occurrence of severe and acute malnutrition in childhood” by Hasselmann and Reichenheim was published in the journal of Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology. This article can be obtained at: http://www.blackwell-synergy.com

IN THE NEWS

The Toll of Domestic Violence in the Workplace

Women who have been victimized by an intimate partner in the last year lost an average of 249 work hours to distraction, around 40% more than non-victims, according to a new study released by Carol Reeves, Collette Arens Bates and Anne O’Leary-Kelly at the University of Arkansas. Researchers surveyed 2400 employees at an insurance company, a transportation company, and an educational institution. A significant proportion of employees, 40 percent of women and 29 percent of men, experienced domestic violence at some point in their lives. The ten percent disclosing violence in the past year were the most likely to report problems with work performance. Distractions included difficulty with concentrating, having to work more slowly, doing work over, and not being able to work at all. Women who reported recent victimization missed an average of 143 hours of work due to tardiness or absenteeism which was 26% higher than non-victims. One in five recent victims disclosed problems getting to their workplace primarily due to stalking. These findings emphasize the importance of having employee assistance programs that offer services and ensure safety for workers who experience domestic violence. For additional information go to: http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=domesticNews&storyID=2006-08-18T133856Z_01_N18434966_RTRUKOC_0_US-LIFE-WORK.xml

More than Half of all Prisons and Jail Inmates Have Mental Health Problems

According to a new study released by the Department of Justice, 56 percent of state prisoners, 45 percent of federal prisoners, and 64 percent of local jail inmates have mental health problems. These findings are from face-to-face interviews conducted with a nationally representative sample of prisoners and inmates. The study determined the presence of mental health problems by asking about a recent history or symptoms of mental disorders occurring in the past year. The most commonly reported mental health problems by frequency were mania, depression, and psychotic disorders such as delusions or hallucinations. Incarcerated females had significantly higher rates of mental health problems than incarcerated males. Jail inmates who had a mental health problem were three times as likely to report being physically or sexually abused in the past compared to inmates without mental health problems (24% vs. 8%). One-third (33.8%) State prisoners and 17.5% of local jail inmates who had a mental health problem received treatment after their admission to the facility. To download this report, go to: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/mhppji.htm

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND RESOURCES

European Survey of National Capacity in Preventing Violence and Injury

The World Health Organization (WHO) is conducting a global survey on how Ministries of Health in Europe are responding to violence and injury prevention. Survey results will help the WHO to develop services and tools that are responsive to countries’ needs to address this worldwide public health concern. Four broad themes were addressed in the survey: 1) data collection, 2) coordination, leadership, and administration; 3) program development and implementation; and 4) public policy and legislation. A total of 31 countries responded to the survey; 16 of the respondents were categorized as low- and middle-income countries and 15 were high-income countries. Surveys findings included:
• Only 8 countries state that their health ministries had identified preventing violence as a priority issue
• While more than half of the national health information systems in high-income countries collect data on intimate partner violence (IPV), only one-quarter of low- to middle-income countries collected data on IPV
• More than 50% of high-income countries reported program development in the health sector on intimate partner violence compare to 30% of low- and middle-income countries
• Laws for preventing family violence such as establishing special services for sexual assault and IPV victims, perpetrator treatment for IPV, and court orders for IPV were more prevalent in high-income countries compared to low- and middle-income countries.
The full survey can be downloaded at http://www.euro.who.int/document/e89258.pdf

EVENTS/CONFERENCES

Health Cares About Domestic Violence Day

Participate the eighth annual Health Cares About Domestic Violence Day (HCADV Day) on October 11, 2006!
HCADV Day is a nationally recognized awareness-raising day that takes place annually on the second Wednesday of October. Organized by the Family Violence Prevention Fund, with co-sponsorship from AMSA, HCADV Day aims to reach members of the healthcare community and educate them about the critical importance of assessing for domestic violence, as well as the long term health implications of domestic violence and lifetime exposure to violence. There are many ways that you can provide leadership on your campus as part of HCADV Day and the Family Violence Prevention Fund has an Organizing Packet (Click here for the Packet) to help you get started. Consider writing a newsletter article (Click here for a sample article) or an op ed for a local paper; providing information to your classmates and faculty on routine assessment for domestic violence; and passing out (free!) buttons, patient education brochures and training tools to your classmates and faculty.
Visit http://www.endabuse.org/hcadvd/ for more information. If you have any questions about your involvement, email Anna Marjavi anna@endabuse.org

The National Center for Victims of Crime

The National Center for Victims of Crime is pleased to announce the 2006 Training Institute which offers the best in high quality training for victim service providers, law enforcement professionals, mental health professionals, youth workers, and others involved in supporting victims of crime. The Training Institute has been approved by the National Board of Certified Counselors for continuing education units for professional counselors. Registration is $180 for National Center members and $235 for non-members.
For more information and to register on-line, visit: http://www.ncvc.org/ncvc/main.aspx?dbID=DB_TrainingInstitute104

2007 National Conference on Health and Domestic Violence

Pre-conference Institutes: March 15, 2007
Conference: March 16 - March 17, 2007
 Registration Opens Online: October 23rd, 2006 at http://www.endabuse.org/ Location: San Francisco Marriott San Francisco, California, USA

The 4th Biennial National Conference on Health and Domestic Violence aims to advance the health care system's response to domestic violence. The conference attracts the nation's leading medical, public health and family violence experts from across the U.S. with increased international participation. Workshops and plenary sessions highlight the latest research and most innovative clinical responses to domestic violence, with a focus on the work being done by physicians, physician assistants, dentists, nurses, nurse midwives, mental and behavioral health providers, social workers, domestic violence experts, and others.
For more information, please contact Julie Varghese at Julie@endabuse.org, phone (415) 252-8900.

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Health e-News is a monthly electronic news digest focusing on health care and domestic violence policy, research, prevention and advocacy. Health e-News is available in both text and html formats. To subscribe Click Here.

We encourage you to use Health e-News to share news, views, and experiences concerning your projects and activities on addressing domestic violence as a health care issue. To post an announcement or ask a question, send an e-mail to HealthE-News@endabuse.org. The digest is facilitated by Julie Varghese, julie@endabuse.org, with the Family Violence Prevention Fund.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to end domestic violence!

Be sure to visit our website http://endabuse.org/health to learn more about our programs, products, and campaigns!

This publication is funded in part by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau.