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Are Pregnant and Postpartum Women: At Increased Risk for Violent Death? Suicide and Homicide Findings from North Carolina

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Abstract

The purpose of this study is to estimate rates of suicide and homicide death among pregnant, postpartum and non-pregnant/non-postpartum women ages 14–44, and to determine comparative rates of violent death for pregnant and/or postpartum women compared to non-pregnant/non-postpartum women. North Carolina surveillance and vital statistics data from 2004 to 2006 were used to examine whether pregnant or postpartum women have higher (or lower) rates of suicide and homicide compared to other reproductive-aged women. The suicide rate for pregnant women was 27% of the rate for non-pregnant/non-postpartum women (rate ratio = 0.27, 95% CI = 0.11–0.66), and the suicide rate for postpartum women was 54% of the rate for non-pregnant/non-postpartum women (rate ratio = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.31–0.95). Homicide rates also were lower for pregnant and postpartum women, with the homicide rate for pregnant women being 73% of the rate for non-pregnant/non-postpartum women (rate ratio = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.39–1.37), and the homicide rate for postpartum women being half the rate for non-pregnant/non-postpartum women (rate ratio = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.26–0.98). Although pregnant and postpartum women are at risk for homicide and suicide death, the highest risk group is non-pregnant/non-postpartum women. Violence prevention efforts should target all women of reproductive age, and pay particular attention to non-pregnant/non-postpartum women, who may have less access to health care services than pregnant and postpartum women.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported, in part, by contract #01507-09 from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health as part of the evaluation of the North Carolina Violent Death Reporting System. The authors thank Ms. Kay Sanford, Ms. Zewde Demissie, Dr. Margaret Harper, Mr. Pedro Luna-Orea and Mr. Scott Proescholdbell, all of whom were instrumental in the conduct of this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Maternal and Child Health, CB #4645, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-4645, USA

    Ghazaleh Samandari

  2. Department of Maternal and Child Health, CB #7445, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7445, USA

    Sandra L. Martin

  3. Department of Biostatistics, CB #7420, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7420, USA

    Lawrence L. Kupper

  4. Department of Surgery, CB #7228, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7228, USA

    Sharon Schiro

  5. Injury and Violence Prevention Branch, North Carolina Division of Public Health, Disease and Injury Section, Raleigh, NC, 27699-1915, USA

    Tammy Norwood

  6. NC State Center for Health Statistics, Raleigh, NC, 27699, USA

    Matt Avery

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  1. Ghazaleh Samandari
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  2. Sandra L. Martin
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Correspondence to Ghazaleh Samandari.

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Samandari, G., Martin, S.L., Kupper, L.L. et al. Are Pregnant and Postpartum Women: At Increased Risk for Violent Death? Suicide and Homicide Findings from North Carolina. Matern Child Health J 15, 660–669 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-010-0623-6

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