[Domestic violence against women: health consequences and need for care--results of a survey among first-aid-patients in the framework of the S.I.G.N.A.L.- accompanying research].

UNLABELLED: To determine the prevalence of domestic violence (DV), sequelae, and the expectancies of support/intervention among female patients receiving medical care within an emergency department (ED), a pertinent inquiry was effected.

METHOD: Cross-sectional survey, using trained female interviewers to confidentially administer standardised questionnaires to female patients of the ED of a university hospital in Berlin, Germany. There were 1557 female patients, 18 to 60 years of age, receiving medical care in a hospital ED during 7 weeks in the Spring/Summer of 2002. Of that initial population, 411 women were excluded, 340 refused participation, with N = 806 (70 %) participating in the study. The survey instrument included questions on different kinds of abuse, sequelae (physical and mental), demographic characteristics and the patients' expectations of support by health professionals.

RESULTS: 57 % of the victims of at least one episode of DV in their lifetime after the age of 16 claimed health consequences. According to the percentage of nominations the sequelae were: mental (54 %), physical (35 %), 32 % both, head injuries (60 %), haematomas/bruises (44 %), and fractures (17 %), injuries from stabbings, gunshots, or burns (10 %), gastrointestinal disorders (23 %), headache/migraine (18 %), and heart disease (15 %). The most frequently reported psychological symptoms were anxiety (32 %), depression (13 %) and suicide/self-mutilation attempts (5 %). 52 % of the victimised women, who reported health consequences, had received medical care in lifetime including: 33 % surgery, 24 % emergency department, and 10 % received clinical treatment. In response to a hypothetical question about a future incidence of DV victimisation posed to all respondents, 67 % claimed that they would discuss it with their physicians, and only 8 % of respondents indicated that they had ever been asked about DV occurrence during any past consultations with a health care professional. Approximately 80 % of all respondents favour a routine inquiry for DV to be included as part of the medical history protocol of the ED.

CONCLUSION: The sequelae resulting from DV victimisation of women receiving medical services, suggests the need for intervention(s) within the health care setting. Health professionals must first acknowledge DV as a possible cause of injuries and other health disorders in female patients. Domestic violence screening of female patients within the health care setting can enhance the quality of care for victims. Women's expectations show the acceptability of such interventions.