摘要：Using 2005–2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data, we examined intimate partner violence (IPV) by same-sex and opposite-sex relationships and by Metropolitan Statistical Area status. Same-sex victims differed from opposite-sex victims in some forms of IPV prevalence, and urban same-sex victims had increased odds of poor self-perceived health status (adjusted odds ratio = 2.41; 95% confidence interval = 1.17, 4.94). Same-sex and opposite-sex victims experienced similar poor health outcomes, underscoring the need both of inclusive service provision and consideration of sexual orientation in population-based research. Intimate partner violence (IPV) remains a significant public health problem, but IPV in same-sex relationships is not universally acknowledged, thus inhibiting treatment of its victims. 1 , 2 Reasons for this disparate acknowledgment range from lack of statutes in some jurisdictions legitimizing same-sex relationships to perceptions that deemphasize the severity of same-sex IPV. 3 , 4 Previous studies have found higher rates of same-sex IPV than of opposite-sex IPV. 5 , 6 However, few studies have explored whether these higher IPV rates disproportionately affect health outcomes among victims of same-sex IPV. Additionally, research has shown urban–rural differences in the severity of IPV, 7 , 8 but none has examined how these differences affect same-sex IPV victims. Using population-based data, we examined the prevalence of different forms of IPV among same-sex and opposite-sex victims and differences in health and quality-of-life indicators by place of residence (Metropolitan Statistical Area vs non–Metropolitan Statistical Area, hereafter referred to as urban and rural areas, respectively).
