Homicide among pregnant and postpartum women in the United States: a review of the literature

Trauma Violence Abuse. 2010 Jan;11(1):42-54. doi: 10.1177/1524838009358891.

Abstract

Eighteen articles that examined the extent of homicide among pregnant and/or postpartum women in the United States are reviewed, documenting the studies' methods and findings. Results from proportional mortality analyses (studies that examined only deaths, rather than deaths within a larger population of living individuals) showed a modicum of support for the contention that homicide may account for a greater proportion of the deaths among pregnant/postpartum women than among other women of reproductive age. However, results from more comprehensive analyses that estimated homicide risks/rates (studies that examined deaths within the context of living populations) did not find any evidence to suggest that pregnant/postpartum women experience a greater risk/rate of homicide compared to other women of reproductive age. This difference in findings is discussed in light of the different methodological approaches.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Battered Women / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Homicide / statistics & numerical data*
  • Homicide / trends
  • Humans
  • Maternal Mortality / trends*
  • Maternal Welfare / statistics & numerical data*
  • Postpartum Period
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / mortality*
  • Puerperal Disorders / mortality*
  • Risk Factors
  • United States
  • Women's Health
  • Wounds and Injuries / mortality