Johnson, J.K., John, R., Humera, A., Kukreja, S., Found, M. and Lindow, S.W. (2007)
The aim of this study was to determine the lifetime prevalance of emotional abuse amongst a population of women who attended a gynaecology outpatients clinic, and to investigate if women who reported such abuse were more likely to complain of certain gynaecological symptoms.
920 consecutive women were surveyed by means of a confidential questionnaire, of which 825 were returned (90% response rate). The prevalance of emotional abuse was found to be 24%. Of the 15 presenting symptoms reported by the women, referral for termination of pregnancy, cervical smear abnormality, worry about cancer and urinary incontinence were significantly more common in the group who reported emotional abuse. The women with emotional abuse had significantly more consultations but the duration of their symptoms was not found to be statistically different.
European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Reproductive Biology (2007) 133:1 95-99