Routine Screening For Domestic Violence Research Articles

Intimate partner violence; breaking the silence on male victims in Nigeria

Globally, men have always been seen as perpetrators of aggression in romantic relationship which constitute intimate partner violence (IPV). In Nigeria, they are mostly considered as the villains due to the patriarchal nature of the society. However, there have many cases of violence by intimate partners where men were the victims. Very few of such cases were reported either to the hospital or to the police due to many reasons ranging from sociocultural, ethnic, economic and religious values among others. In a patriarchal society like Nigeria, men experience various form of violence which could be physical, psychological, sexual and socioeconomic from intimate partners. Therefore, this article attempts to review the reported incidence of male victims of IPV in Nigeria and the peculiarities involved while providing recommendations. Some of the factors identified for the low incidence report includes; lack of routine screening for domestic violence in health facilities, the fact that psychological violence is not considered as violence in some Nigerian society, shame about disclosing family violence, poor socioeconomic status and many more. Additionally, a major predictor of female-perpetrated IPV was childhood exposure to violence. This paper recommends that several actions which would improve the report of IPV against men while ameliorating IPV in Nigeria may involve: raising public awareness, legal protection, increasing health care worker sensitivity, provision of support services, research and proper data collection among others.

Identifying domestic violence and sexual assault presentations at a regional Australian hospital emergency department: Comparative analysis of domestic violence and sexual assault cases.

Objective:To map the main characteristics of and differences between domestic violence and sexual assault cases presenting to a hospital emergency department in Australia.Methods:This retrospective observational cross-sectional study presents a snapshot of domestic violence and sexual assault cases presenting to the emergency department of a regional tertiary Australian hospital between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2018. Data were extracted from the health district electronic information system for all eligible females. All data were checked for completeness and discrepancies by researchers before analysis.Results:42/105 (40%) sexual assault cases and 27/56 (48%) domestic violence cases reported mental health issues. More than half of the sexual assault and domestic violence cases had recurrent presentations to emergency department (51%; 54/105% and 52%; 29/56, respectively); most injuries were classed as severe. 92/105; 88% of sexual assault and 41/56; 73% of domestic violence victims were referred to related services.Conclusion:Clinical health staff, particularly those working in emergency department, can play crucial roles in identifying cases of domestic violence and sexual assault. Domestic violence training for clinicians and routine domestic violence screening in hospital emergency department is recommended to enhance early intervention.

'Unheard voices': Perceptions of women with mental illness on nurses screening routinely for domestic violence: A qualitative analysis.

Objective:To explore women's experiences of violence and their opinion on routine screening for domestic violence by nursing professionals in mental health care settings.Methods:This qualitative narrative research design was carried out among 20 asymptomatic women with mental illness at a tertiary care centre in Bangalore, India.Results:Narrative content analysis was performed, and five dominant themes have emerged: 1. Understanding the nature and signs of violence (subtheme: Meaning of violence), 2. Abusive experiences of women with mental illness (subthemes: Physical violence, psychological violence, social violence, sexual violence and financial violence), 3. Experiences on disclosure of violence (subthemes: Identification of violence by nursing professionals, Experiences of disclosure of violence), 4. Barriers for disclosure of abuse(subthemes: Fear of consequences, the hectic schedule of nursing staff, helplessness and hopelessness, perceived poor family support). 5.Routine screening for violence by nursing professionals (subthemes: reasons for routine inquiry of violence, nature of inquiry by the nursing professionals).Conclusion:Women with mental illness were undergoing more than one form of violence, and most of the participants supported routine screening by nursing professionals. Nurses play an essential role in identifying and supporting abused women in mental health care settings.

Prevalence of Domestic Violence among Infertile Women attending Subfertility Clinic of a Tertiary Hospital.

Millions of couples suffered from Infertility worldwide. Infertility can cause intense emotional pain in women resulting in stress, anxiety and depression. Domestic violence in infertile women can further results in poor health status and lowers the quality of life. The objective of this study is to find out the prevalence of domestic violence among infertile women attending subfertility clinic of tertiary hospital. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among infertile women in a tertiary hospital from July to August 2018 after taking ethical approval. Convenient sampling was used. Face to face interview was conducted using a structured interview schedule. Data analysis was done in the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage) were used to analyze the data. Point estimate at 95% CI was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. Domestic violence was found among 62 (55.35%) women at 95% Confidence Interval (46.15-64.55). The emotional violence accounted for 57 (50.89%), physical violence for 19 (16.96%) and sexual violence for 18 (16.07%). The prevalence of domestic violence was more 22 (61.11%) in women with secondary infertility than in women with primary infertility 40 (52.63%). The main perpetrators of domestic violence were family members 28 (45.16%). The study concluded that women experiencing infertility are exposed to various forms of domestic violence, emotional one being most common. Routine screening for domestic violence in infertility clinics is necessary to give affected women an opportunity to access appropriate health care and support services.

Interventions for women who report domestic violence during and after pregnancy in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic literature review

BackgroundDomestic violence is a leading cause of social morbidity and may increase during and after pregnancy. In high-income countries screening, referral and management interventions are available as part of standard maternity care. Such practice is not routine in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) where the burden of social morbidity is high.MethodsWe systematically reviewed available evidence describing the types of interventions, and/or the effectiveness of such interventions for women who report domestic violence during and/or after pregnancy, living in LMIC. Published and grey literature describing interventions for, and/or effectiveness of such interventions for women who report domestic violence during and/or after pregnancy, living in LMIC was reviewed. Outcomes assessed were (i) reduction in the frequency and/or severity of domestic violence, and/or (ii) improved physical, psychological and/or social health. Narrative analysis was conducted.ResultsAfter screening 4818 articles, six studies were identified for inclusion. All included studies assessed women (n = 894) during pregnancy. Five studies reported on supportive counselling; one study implemented an intervention consisting of routine screening for domestic violence and supported referrals for women who required this. Two studies evaluated the effectiveness of the interventions on domestic violence with statistically significant decreases in the occurrence of domestic violence following counselling interventions (488 women included). There was a statistically significant increase in family support following counselling in one study (72 women included). There was some evidence of improvement in quality of life, increased use of safety behaviours, improved family and social support, increased access to community resources, increased use of referral services and reduced maternal depression. Overall evidence was of low to moderate quality.ConclusionsScreening, referral and supportive counselling is likely to benefit women living in LMIC who experience domestic violence. Larger-scale, high-quality research is, however, required to provide further evidence for the effectiveness of interventions. Improved availability with evaluation of interventions that are likely to be effective is necessary to inform policy, programme decisions and resource allocation for maternal healthcare in LMIC.Trial registrationSystematic review registration number: PROSPERO CRD42018087713.

Feasibility of routine screening for domestic violence among women attending an urban health center in Puducherry, India

Background: Women facing domestic violence are likely to seek medical care but are likely not to report the cause as domestic violence. Objective: To find out the yield of screening for domestic violence among ever-married adult women visiting an urban primary health-care center and to understand the health consequences and perception of women affected by domestic violence regarding selected aspects of the same. Materials and Methods: This hospital-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in an urban health center attached to a tertiary care institution in Puducherry during October and November 2014. All adult women who had married at least once in their lifetime, and visited the outpatient department of the urban health center during the study period, either as patients or as patients’ attenders, were included in the study. Anonymized data were collected using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Questions assessed whether participants had ever faced or currently facing any physical, emotional, or sexual violence after marriage. Results: Reportedly, 133 (57.3%) participants have experienced some form of domestic violence after marriage; of which, 68 (51.1%) had faced it in the last 1 year. Physical, emotional, and sexual violence was reported by 105 (45.3%), 110 (47.4%), and 26 (11.2%) participants, respectively. Both physical and emotional violence were faced by 89 (38%) women. Arguing with husband was perceived by most women as the most common cause of violence (about 43%). About 34.4% women cited the reason for not speaking about violence to someone else as not being helpful. Conclusion: Screening for domestic violence was feasible in urban health center, the yield being high.

Development of a scale for determining violence against infertile women: a scale development study

BackgroundTo develop a scale to evaluate violence experienced among infertile women.MethodThree steps were followed in the development of the scale: Literature review and deep interviews to generate item pool, content validity testing, and administration of draft. Content validity was evaluated by experts. The draft scale was pilot-tested with a convenience sample of 30 women during their treatment. After the pilot-test, 166 infertile females filled the scale in the infertility clinic of a university hospital in Istanbul.ResultsFor evaluation of construct validity, Kaiser-Mayer Olkin was 0.91. Bartlett test was statistically significant (p = 0.00). According to the results of analysis, 5 domains were determined: “domestic violence”, “social pressure”, “punishment”, “exposure to traditional practices” and “exclusion”. The values of correlation of item were between 0.50 and 0.82. Item-total and subscale-total correlation varied between 0.57-0.91. The scale had good internal reliability, with Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient of 0.96. The other coefficients of subscales varied between 0.80-0.94.ConclusionsThe scale called “Infertile Women’s Exposure to Violence Determination Scale” indicates high reliability, good content and construct validity. Routine screening for domestic violence in infertility clinics is necessary to give affected women an opportunity to access appropriate health care and support services. On the other hand, common use of Infertile Women’s Exposure to Violence Determination Scale in infertility clinics provides increased sensitivity and awareness by caregivers.

2754 – Title: a study to assess the stress, coping strategies and domestic violence in wives of alcohol dependent individuals

Divorce rates are high among wives of alcoholics and the most frequently identified cause is domestic strife in the form of harassment, torture or beating from the husband and or in-laws. However, there is only limited literature in this regard. To study the stress, various coping styles and domestic violence among the wives of alcohol dependent individuals, who are admitted to the de-addiction centre of a tertiary care psychiatric centre in India. An exploratory descriptive design was adopted. Wives of 75 alcohol dependent individuals, admitted in the deaddiction centre of National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore were selected. Data was collected by personal interviews with all 75 wives using socio-demographic information schedule, Perceived Stress Scale, Coping with Drinking Questionnaire, and Domestic Violence Questionnaire. Wives of alcohol dependent patients had high levels of perceived stress. Avoidance, discord, fearful withdrawal and sexual withdrawal were the most common coping components identified. Domestic violence was experienced by 90% women, mostly intellectual (69%), emotional (59%), social (58%), physical (47%), economic (42%) and sexual violence (27%). Domestic violence was found to increase the stress and influences the coping styles of these women. Domestic violence is a major problem in wives of alcoholics. Routine screening for domestic violence is needed during the intake of alcoholic for substance abuse treatment so that appropriate interventions can be planned. There is a need for substance abuse treatment providers to be trained on the issue of domestic violence.

Domestic violence against infertile women in a Turkish setting

Objective To investigate the prevalence of domestic violence against infertile women in a Turkish setting. Methods A total of 122 women with primary infertility attending an obstetrics and gynecology outpatient clinic were interviewed using the Abuse Assessment Screen questionnaire to investigate their experiences of domestic violence. Results In total, 41 (33.6%) women had experienced domestic violence because of their infertility. Of these women, 32 (78%) had experienced domestic violence for the first time in the relationship with the current partner following diagnosis of female factor infertility. The percentage of nonabused and abused infertile women who were mostly satisfied with their sexual lives was 56.87% and 29.2%, respectively ( P < 0.05). Conclusion Routine screening for domestic violence in infertility clinics is necessary to give affected women an opportunity to access appropriate health care and support services.

Domestic Violence and Abuse, Health Status, and Social Functioning

ABSTRACT Background: Current and past history of domestic violence (DV), including physical, sexual, and emotional abuse is common among women patients seen in health care settings and is associated with a higher frequency of many health problems. However, the association of DV with self-assessed social functioning is less well known. Methods: We administered a telephone survey to a random sample of 391 women HMO members seen for a routine annual check-up. The survey included questions about current and past physical, sexual, and emotional violence and self-assessed social functioning and health status from the SF-36. We included questions about attitudes toward routine DV screening, likelihood of disclosure, and the health care setting as a resource. Results: Seven percent of the women reported recent DV and 34% reported lifetime abuse. Abuse was related to limitations in social functioning (adjusted OR = 2.26). Among women with no recent history of abuse, those with a history of past physical (adjusted OR = 1.90), sexual (adjusted OR = 2.04), or emotional (adjusted OR = 2.20) abuse reported significantly poorer social functioning. Emotional abuse, even in the absence of a history of physical or sexual abuse, was strongly associated with limitations in social functioning (adjusted OR = 4.95). Most women believed it appropriate for clinicians to inquire routinely about DV (87%) and 83% believed that the health care setting was a source of help. Conclusions: Current and past DV, including emotional abuse, adversely affect social functioning. Therefore, clinicians in the health care setting have a unique and important opportunity to assist women victims of DV and abuse.

Can screening for domestic violence be introduced successfully in a sexual health clinic?

Domestic violence is reported frequently when Australian women are surveyed and is associated with poorer health outcomes on a variety of measures. Routine screening for domestic violence is a strategy designed to both prevent domestic violence and provide an opportunity for early intervention. Following staff consultation and training, a 1-month pilot of routine screening for domestic violence (RSDV) of all female patients was conducted in a large sexual health clinic. Following the evaluation of this pilot, RSDV was introduced in 2003 for all new female patients. Of the 3244 women eligible for screening, 2893 (89%) were screened. Of these, 254 (8.8%) identified domestic violence. Routine screening for domestic violence is feasible in a sexual health clinic population. High screening rates were achieved and high rates of domestic violence were identified, providing an opportunity for intervention.

The prevalence of domestic violence in pregnant women

To determine the prevalence of domestic violence in a population of pregnant women. Questionnaire survey. Antenatal booking clinic in a north of England hospital. Five hundred consecutive women were included. Anonymous confidential questionnaire to women who were not accompanied by their partners. Disclosure of a past history of physical, emotional or sexual abuse. Four hundred and seventy-five questionnaires were returned (95% response rate). The prevalence of domestic violence was 17%. Domestic violence was highest in the age group 26-30 years and boyfriends were the main perpetrators. Punching and slapping were the most common pattern of violence, and 10% of women experiencing domestic violence had had forced sexual activity. The prevalence of domestic violence in a cohort of pregnant women in the north of England was 17%. Consideration should be given for routine screening for domestic violence in pregnancy to institute effective intervention strategies.

The prevalence of domestic violence in pregnant women

Objective To determine the prevalence of domestic violence in a population of pregnant women. Design Questionnaire survey. Setting Antenatal booking clinic in a north of England hospital. Population Five hundred consecutive women were included. Methods Anonymous confidential questionnaire to women who were not accompanied by their partners. Main outcome measures Disclosure of a past history of physical, emotional or sexual abuse. Results Four hundred and seventy-five questionnaires were returned (95% response rate). The prevalence of domestic violence was 17%. Domestic violence was highest in the age group 26–30 years and boyfriends were the main perpetrators. Punching and slapping were the most common pattern of violence, and 10% of women experiencing domestic violence had had forced sexual activity. Conclusion The prevalence of domestic violence in a cohort of pregnant women in the north of England was 17%. Consideration should be given for routine screening for domestic violence in pregnancy to institute effective intervention strategies.

A Domestic Violence Screening Program in a Public Health Department

Domestic Violence (DV) is a public health problem with far-reaching effects for society. Local public health departments typically serve high-risk populations and have a unique opportunity to provide routine DV screening to all clients receiving services. This project piloted a DVscreening program in the family planning clinic of a local public health department. Two interventions were required; the first was a 2-hr inservice program for family planning clinic staff. The second intervention consisted of development and implementation of the screening program. A comprehensive DV curriculum was developed and carried out at an inservice prior to the implementation of the screening program. Screening was evaluated over a 4-week period in the health department. Of the 182 women who were screened for DV, 21 (11.5%) screened positive for DV.

A Domestic Violence Screening Program in a Public Health Department

Domestic Violence (DV) is a public health problem with far-reaching effects for society. Local public health departments typically serve high-risk populations and have a unique opportunity to provide routine DV screening to all clients receiving services. This project piloted a DVscreening program in the family planning clinic of a local public health department. Two interventions were required; the first was a 2-hr inservice program for family planning clinic staff. The second intervention consisted of development and implementation of the screening program. A comprehensive DV curriculum was developed and carried out at an inservice prior to the implementation of the screening program. Screening was evaluated over a 4-week period in the health department. Of the 182 women who were screened for DV, 21 (11.5%) screened positive for DV.

Making Family Planning Clinics an Empowerment Zone for Rural Battered Women

SUMMARY While domestic violence in rural areas is not different in kind or incidence from that found in urban areas of the country, rural women face unique difficulties in accessing health and social services when they experience abuse. We present an overview of rural life and the difficulties rural women face in accessing health care and other services. We describe the network of family planning clinics and domestic violence advocacy programs in western Pennsylvania and a pilot project designed to implement routine screening for domestic violence in family planning clinics in rural Pennsylvania. We report on changes in the staff's practice of and comfort with screening and making referrals during the initial six months of the program. Finally, we report on a partnership between the clinic and the domestic violence advocacy program in one county as a model for meeting the needs of rural women who experience abuse. This research supports recommendations that assessment and interventions for abuse be incorporated into rural health care systems.

An early identification and intervention model for domestic violence

South Eastern Sydney Area Health Service (SESAHS) obtained Commonwealth funding from Partnerships Against Domestic Violence to pilot routine screening for domestic violence at a number of sites around the Health Service. One of the participating sites was the Emergency Department at Sutherland Hospital. The aim of the pilot was for nursing staff to screen all women, sixteen years and over, for domestic violence for three months. Following the pilot, an Early Identification and Intervention Model for domestic violence for the Emergency Department was designed using clinical indicators. This article will outline the model and its implementation. An evaluation of the model was undertaken which included feedback from staff and an audit of social work referrals.

A realistic view of domestic violence screening in an Emergency Department

Sutherland Hospital is a district hospital serving The Sutherland Shire, a metropolitan area of Sydney. It has a population of approximately 220,000 which is predominantly Anglo-Saxon in ethnic origin. The Emergency Department provides emergency services for 30,000 new patients per annum. New South Wales Department of Health obtained Commonwealth funding from Partnerships Against Domestic Violence to pilot routine screening for domestic violence within 2 Area Health Services. One of the participating sites was the Emergency Department in South East Sydney Area Health Service. The aim was for nursing and medical staff to screen, for three months, all women sixteen years old and over. Information cards on state-wide domestic violence resources and referral flow charts were developed for the pilot. Staff undertook training and issues were addressed prior to the screening.In this article we will discuss the findings, including the rate of screening by the staff, disclosure rate of domestic violence, and action taken on disclosure. We will then proceed to explain the difficulties in undertaking screening within an Emergency Department, and make recommendations for those Emergency Departments interested in commencing screening.

Screening for domestic violence in the community pediatric setting.

Children exposed to domestic violence (DV) can experience a variety of adverse effects such as behavior disorders, developmental delay, and child abuse. Recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that all pediatricians incorporate screening for DV as a part of anticipatory guidance. To date, however, there is little information on how likely women are to disclose DV or whether there are any benefits to screening in the pediatric office setting. The purpose of our pilot study was to gain an understanding of whether screening for DV in the pediatric office setting could be helpful to abused women and their children. During a 3-month period, 92% of the women who accompanied their children for a well-child visit to a hospital-based suburban pediatrician were asked about violence in the home with a six-question screening tool. Of the 154 women screened, 47 (31%) revealed DV at some time in their lives. Twenty-five women (17%) reported DV within the past 2 years and were reported to the mandated state agency. There were 5 episodes of child abuse reported of which two had not been previously reported. Interestingly, there were 5 women injured during their most recent pregnancy and who had separated from their abusive partner, but no legal action had been taken to protect them from their partner's return. There was no significant difference in the incidence of DV reported in families with Medicaid (37%) versus private insurance (20%). Before routine DV screening in our office, only one previous DV report had been made in 4 years. Our preliminary results suggest that many women will reveal DV when screened in the pediatric office setting. Also, there is a subgroup of women, those with young children who have recently separated from their partners, who may particularly benefit from DV screening.

Domestic violence training program for residents

Domestic violence is occurring in epidemic proportions in the United States. Recent surveys have shown there is a need for educational programs for health care professionals. This report presents the results of a domestic violence workshop developed to increase knowledge and improve attitudes and skills in working with victims of domestic violence. The results of the workshop, measured by preintervention and postintervention attitude, knowledge, and skills surveys, are promising. There was a significant improvement in knowledge, self-assessed skills, and attitudes after the workshop. Although the full magnitude of the changes was not sustained over time, there was still significant improvement after 6 months in knowledge and attitude. Rates of detection and documentation did not change. Future educational programs will need to address maintaining routine screening for domestic violence in the primary care setting and to highlight more clearly the role of health care professionals in the detection and treatment of domestic violence.