Women's perceptions and experiences of routine enquiry for domestic violence in a maternity service.

OBJECTIVE: A qualitative study examining women's perceptions and experiences of routine enquiry for domestic violence in a maternity service. DESIGN: Purposive sampling was used to select a sub-sample from a larger group of women who participated in a domestic violence in pregnancy screening study undertaken at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals in London. SETTING: Interviews were conducted in women's homes and general practitioner's surgeries. SAMPLE: Ten women who experienced domestic violence in the last 12 months (including pregnancy), six women who experienced domestic violence in the last 12 months, but not in pregnancy, and 16 women with no history of domestic violence. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews conducted during the postpartum period (up to 14 months). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Women's views on the acceptability and relevance of routine enquiry for domestic violence. RESULTS: Routine enquiry for domestic violence in maternity settings is acceptable to women if conducted in a safe, confidential environment by a trained health professional who is empathic and non-judgemental. The effectiveness of routine enquiry to elicit a history of domestic violence is influenced by factors such as lack of time, confidential consulting time, continuity of care, training and availability of resources. CONCLUSIONS: Further research is needed to determine whether the use of on-site specialist domestic violence workers will increase midwives' ability to routinely enquire about domestic violence

Relatos de los equipos de salud mental de atención primaria (aps) acerca del abordaje de la violencia de género en la pareja Discourses of primary mental healthcare teams on addressing gender violence within the context of relationships

La violencia contra las mujeres en el contexto de la relación de pareja es un problema situado en la agenda pública, asociado a la determinación de género. Incorporar la perspectiva de género es, por tanto, crucial para poder entender e intervenir en este fenómeno. Para analizar si los discursos que poseen los profesionales de los Equipos de Salud Mental de APS de la Comuna de Valparaíso (Médicos/as, Psicólogos/as, Asistentes Sociales) respecto del abordaje que realizan sobre violencia doméstica presentan saberes, ideas o nociones basados en perspectiva de género, se realizó estudio con metodología cualitativa, a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas y se realizó un análisis de contenido. Hay consenso sobre la forma de abordar a las mujeres agredidas, para todos es muy relevante generar un espacio terapéutico empático, de contención. Se valora en los discursos el trabajo multidiciplinario e intersectorial. Se mencionan prácticas de riesgo de generar revictimización. No existe intencionalidad hacia un empoderamiento desde una perspectiva de género, salvo en el caso de algunos/as psicólogos/as. El presente trabajo podría aportar a la evaluación crítica de los distintos discursos de los Equipos de Salud Mental de APS en el abordaje de la violencia de género.<br>Violence against women within relationships is a problem which is in the public eye and is mainly associated with the gender factor. It is therefore crucial to incorporate a gender perspective in order to understand and intervene in this phenomenon. A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews and applying content analysis, to analyze if the declared discourse of the Primary Mental Healthcare teams in Valparaíso (physicians, psychologists, social workers), regarding tackling violence against women within the context of a relationship includes perceptions, knowledge and ideas based on the gender perspective. There is a general consensus on how to deal with battered women, as for all of them it is very important to create an empathic, therapeutic space of containment. Multidisciplinary and intersectoral work is considered important in the work discussions and the risk of repeat victimization was mentioned. In general, there was no intention to empower women from a gender perspective, with the exception of some psychologists (males and females). This work could lead to a critical evaluation of the various discourses of Primary Mental Healthcare Teams in addressing gender-based violence

Prevalence of Domestic Violence in an Inpatient Female Population

Studies have evaluated the prevalence of domestic violence in populations of patients in emergency and primary care settings, but there are little data on patients admitted to hospitals. We undertook a study to evaluate the prevalence of domestic violence among female inpatients. Of 131 consecutive female patients between the ages of 18 and 60 admitted to a nontrauma urban teaching hospital asked to complete a self-administered survey about domestic violence, 101 completed the questionnaire. Twenty-six percent of the respondents reported being in an abusive relationship at one time. Two patients felt that domestic violence contributed to their current reason for admission. No respondents were asked about domestic violence by health care providers. Domestic violence is an uncommon but important precipitant to nontrauma hospital admissions. Physicians should query all female inpatients about domestic assault

Midwives' perceptions and experiences of routine enquiry for domestic violence.

OBJECTIVE: To examine midwives' perceptions and experiences of routine enquiry for domestic violence. DESIGN: Focus groups and semi-structured interviews. SETTING: The study was conducted in the maternity services of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Hospital Trust, an inner London teaching hospital. SAMPLE: Twenty-eight midwives were interviewed. METHODS: One hundred and sixteen out of 145 (80%) midwives were trained to screen routinely pregnant women for domestic violence at booking, at 34 weeks of gestation and postpartum. Twenty midwives attended one of four focus groups and eight semi-structured interviews were conducted. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using content analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Midwives' views of routine enquiry for domestic violence. RESULTS: Midwives felt that domestic violence was an important issue to be addressed. However, practical and personal difficulties were encountered during the study. These included: time constraints, lack of confidential time, safety issues, staff shortages, low staff morale and midwives' personal experiences of domestic violence. The study produced a raised awareness about domestic violence within the maternity unit. There was considerable support for the idea of a specialist domestic violence midwife. CONCLUSIONS: Routine enquiry for domestic violence cannot be implemented effectively without ensuring that in-depth training, resources, staff support and policies to ensure that screening can be conducted safely and confidentially are in place