Objectives: Several state-based studies have indicated that homicide is a leading cause of mortality during pregnancy. However, no national or regional studies have been conducted that focus on the demographic characteristics of pregnancy-associated homicide. Methods: Pregnancy-associated deaths (defined as deaths of women during pregnancy or within one year of pregnancy termination/delivery from all causes) for 1991-1997 from the Southern Region (16 states and the District of Columbia) were analyzed using data from the National Pregnancy Mortality Surveillance System at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Characteristics including age, race, marital status, pregnancy outcome, level of prenatal care, and type of injury were examined. Results: A total of 281 homicide deaths were identified (32% of total pregnancy-associated mortality). Majority of these women were black (67%), < 20 years of age (34%), and 59% died after delivering a live birth. Approximately 5% received no prenatal care, and 26% started prenatal care after the first trimester of pregnancy. Firearms were responsible for a majority (63%) of these deaths. The overall pregnancy-associated homicide ratio for black women is about 9 times higher than for white women. Conclusions: Deaths from pregnancy-associated homicide accounted for about one-third of total pregnancy-associated deaths in the Southern U.S. during 1991-1997. Of these, young and black women appeared to be at particularly high risk of death from homicide. Risk factor information from this study combined with other research on the measurement, patterns and effects of violence during pregnancy may be useful for the development of strategies to prevent pregnancy-associated homicide.
Learning Objectives: 1.) To define the term "pregnancy-associated homicide". 2.) To describe characteristics of women who died from pregnancy-associated homicide. 3.) To discuss potential screening strategies to prevent pregnancy-associated homicide.
Keywords: Homicide, Pregnancy
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.