Background: Few epidemiologic studies of physical violence or intimate partner violence provide population-based surveillance data. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence and describe the characteristics associated with physical violence among adult men and women in the past year. Methods: A random sample of Montana households were contacted via the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) telephone survey in 1998 (N=1,804). Results: Five percent of men (39/787) and 3% of women (33/1,017) reported physical violence in the past year. Among respondents reporting physical violence in the past year, women as compared to men were more likely to report that the perpetrator was a current/former partner (58% vs. 10%, P<0.05). Women were also more likely to report that the most recent incident occurred in their home (58%) as compared to men (13%, P>0.05). Men reporting physical violence in the past year were more likely to be younger and not to be living with a current partner. Women reporting physical violence in the past year were more likely to be younger, not currently living with a partner, have no health insurance, and have more days with mental health problems in the past month. Conclusions: Recent physical violence is common for both men and women, however the perpetrators, locations, and characteristics differ. Specific strategies are needed to target interventions to reduce physical violence among adult men and women, particularly younger persons and those with lower social economic status.
Learning Objectives: Identify the characteristics associated with physical violence among adult men and women
Keywords: Violence, Surveillance
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.