Loraine Bacchus, Research Associate, Women's Health Academic Unit, Kings College and St. Thomas's Hospital London.

Although domestic violence occurs frequently and can adversely affect pregnancy, health professionals rarely enquire about abuse. This study examines the prevalence of domestic violence and its associations with obstetric complications and psychological health in women on antenatal and postnatal wards.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the maternity service of an inner London teaching hospital. 200 English-speaking women aged 16 and over were interviewed between July 2001 and April 2002. A modified version of the Abuse Assessment Screen (McFarlane et al, 1996) was used to assess for experiences of domestic violence. Depression was assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (Murray & Cox, 1990).

The analysis of predictors of obstetric complications grouped together those known to be associated with domestic violence. 47 (23.5%) of women had lifetime experience of domestic violence, of whom 6 (12.8%) had experienced this violence during the current pregnancy. Women with a history of domestic violence were significantly more likely to be single, separated or in non-cohabiting relationships, to have smoked during the current pregnancy or in the year prior to pregnancy, and were more likely to have consulted their GP with "nerves, anxiety, sleeping problems or feeling sad". Higher scores on`the EPDS were significantly associated with domestic violence, being single, separated or in a non-cohabiting relationship, and obstetric complications. Both a history of domestic violence and of increased depressive symptomatology were significantly associated with obstetric complications after controlling for other known risk factors.