#70 Health care access & exposure to domestic violence screening in battered women

PURPOSE: National policies promoting health care screening for domestic violence (DV) are widespread. However, such screening is effective only if DV victims have access to health care. This study describes the prevalence of health care access, medical care use and exposure to DV screening in a community sample of battered women. METHODS: Data collected from misdemeanor DV incidents reported to criminal justice authorities in Memphis, Tennessee were analyzed. Results are based on 1,615 female victims reporting between 1/15/02 and 3/15/02. Health information was available on ˜900–920 cases. RESULTS: Insurance was available to a majority of victims, with 53% covered by Tennesseeʹs Medicaid-waiver insurance and 34% by private insurance; approximately 13% were uninsured. Over half (55%) of DV victims did not see a health care professional (HCP) in the past year. Of those seeing a HCP in the past year, 41% were seen in either a public or private clinic, and 11% in an emergency room. While 50% of victims reported being previously injured in a DV incident, only 21% reported seeking medical care for the injury, and even fewer (16%) sought supportive counseling for DV. Overall, only 17% of victims reported being asked about DV by a HCP in the last year, while 39% of victims seen by a HCP in the last year reported being asked about DV by a HCP. CONCLUSION: To increase the effectiveness of health care screening programs in communities, access of DV victims to primary care requires dramatic improvement. Despite access to health insurance, barriers to utilization of services by DV victims appear prevalent. Program dissemination and training of HCP are needed to increase the rate of exposure to screening for those women who do utilize care.