History of domestic violence and health service use among mid-aged Australian women

This study examined associations between history of domestic violence and health service use among mid-aged Australian women, adjusting for physical and psychological health status and demographic factors. After adjusting for demographic variables, multivariate analysis revealed associations between ever having experienced domestic violence and three or more consultations in the previous 12 months with a family doctor, hospital doctor, or specialist doctor, or being hospitalized. The study concludes that physical and psychological status accounted for the associations between domestic violence and higher health service use, with the exception of GP consultations, which remained associated with domestic violence. It seems likely that women who have experienced domestic violence may be seeking consultations from GPs for reasons additional to health status.