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The highly rural region of Appalachia faces considerable socioeconomic disadvantage and health disparities that are recognized risk factors for intimate partner violence (IPV). The objective of this study was to estimate the rate of IPV-related hospitalizations in Appalachia and the non-Appalachian United States for 2007-2011 and compare hospitalizations in each region by clinical and sociodemographic factors. Data on IPV-related hospitalizations were extracted from the State Inpatient Databases, which are part of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project. Hospitalization day, year, in-hospital mortality, length of stay, average and total hospital charges, sex, age, payer, urban-rural location, income, diagnoses and procedures were compared between Appalachian and non-Appalachian counties. Poisson regression models were constructed to test differences in the rate of IPV-related hospitalizations between both regions. From 2007-2011, there were 7,385 hospitalizations related to IPV, with one-third (2,645) occurring in Appalachia. After adjusting for age and rurality, Appalachian counties had a 22% higher hospitalization rate than non-Appalachian counties (ARR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.14-1.31). Appalachian residents may be at increased risk for IPV and associated conditions. Exploring disparities in healthcare utilization and costs associated with IPV in Appalachia is critical for the development of programs to effectively target the needs of this population.

vol. 64 no. 9, Kampus Kapers winners pictured above are l to r Jeannie Crosby pi kappa phi sweetheart after making presentation of Kampus Kapers trophies to Tony Tanachion pi kappa alpha and Pat Stevens alpha omicron pi Joe Campbell was master of ceremonies (p.1) / Photo by Forrest Halter -- Larry Sherrill jr and Billy Leigh (p.5) / Ledger photo -- Betty Hutton (p.6) -- Florida Southern Symphony Orchestra (p.6) / Ledger photo., Kampus Kapers winners pictured above are l to r Jeannie Crosby pi kappa phi sweetheart after making presentation of Kampus Kapers trophies to Tony Tanachion pi kappa alpha and Pat Stevens alpha omicron pi Joe Campbell was master of ceremonies (p.1) / Photo by Forrest Halter -- Larry Sherrill jr and Billy Leigh (p.5) / Ledger photo -- Betty Hutton (p.6) -- Florida Southern Symphony Orchestra (p.6) / Ledger photo., 1-6