Validity of Single Question for Screening Intimate Partner Violence among Urban Latina Women

Objective The purpose of this study was to test the validity of a single violence question compared with revised Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS2) as an initial tool which can be easily used in community‐based health care settings to detect IPV in Latina women. Design and Sample The study was conducted using secondary analyses of the baseline data from a culturally tailored HIV risk prevention project SEPA. A total of 657 Mexican and Puerto‐Rican women aged 18–40, who reported sexual activities were interviewed. Measures We used data regarding sociodemographic factors, Latino acculturation, a single violence question of “Did your partner hit or hurt you in any way?” and the CTS2 measuring intimate partner violence. Results Using the CTS2 as a gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity of a single question for screening partner physical violence was 45.9% and 94.7%, respectively. The positive likelihood ratio of a single question for physical violence was 8.59. The sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratio of a single question for screening psychological aggression were 17.9%, 98.5%, and 11.89, respectively. Conclusion While a single question used in our study needs further improvement for desirable sensitivity, it may be usable as an initial question for detecting IPV.