Estimating the risk of child maltreatment by age two among children born to mothers with a prior history of IPV
METHODS: Since 1990 the Alaska Division of Public Health has surveyed approximately 17% of all birthmothers each year using the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring Survey (PRAMS). The 2009-10 PRAMS respondents (n = 2,393) were linked to child protection services (CPS) reports occurring between 2009-2012, to examine the risk of child maltreatment by age two among children born to mothers with a prior history of IPV. Unadjusted incidence odds ratios (IOR) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using a median unbiased approach to account for small numbers and logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted IOR to approximate the total effects incidence risk ratio.
RESULTS: Among the 2,393 PRAMS respondents, 217 (9.0%) self-reported a history of intimate partner violence and 228 (8.1%) of the PRAMS children experienced a maltreatment report. Comparing respondents with an IPV history to those without, the unadjusted incidence odds ratio (IOR) of a maltreatment report was 4.70 (95%CI 3.00, 7.23). After adjusting for income status, marital status, Alaska Native, maternal education, smoking during pregnancy, and maternal age, the adjusted IOR was 2.58 (95%CI 1.60, 4.10).
CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests an increased risk of maltreatment for children born to mothers with a history of IPV. More sensitive familial violence screenings are needed during prenatal care through birth when physicians and other health professionals potentially have high impact contact with high risk populations.