Abstract
Objective: This study was undertaken to determine whether the association of intimate partner violence with urinary tract infection and pyelonephritis in pregnancy is due to a higher rate of asymptomatic bacteriuria in those suffering intimate partner violence. Study Design: Women enrolling in prenatal care had urine collected for quantitative culture (n = 342) and completed 2 scales with a computer-based survey system: The Conflict Tactics Scale for verbal and physical abuse and the Castro survey for sexual abuse. Results: The prevalence of verbal abuse during pregnancy was 46.9%, physical abuse, 7.6%, sexual abuse 5.8%. No significant associations were seen between quantitative culture of uropathogens and verbal, physical, or sexual abuse. Conclusion: It is unlikely that the reason for the association of urinary tract infection and intimate partner violence is due to a higher number of uropathogens present in the urine of women with verbal, physical, or sexual abuse. © 2007 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.