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Journal of Interpersonal Violence Aug 2022Despite increased prevalence of domestic violence and abuse (DVA), victimization through DVA often remains undetected in mental health care. To estimate the... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Despite increased prevalence of domestic violence and abuse (DVA), victimization through DVA often remains undetected in mental health care. To estimate the effectiveness of a system provider level training intervention by comparing the detection and referral rates of DVA of intervention community mental health (CMH) teams with rates in control CMH teams. We also aimed to determine whether improvements in knowledge, skills and attitudes to DVA were greater in clinicians working in intervention CMH teams than those working in control teams. We conducted a cluster randomized controlled trial in two urban areas of the Netherlands. Detection and referral rates were assessed at baseline and at 6 and 12 months after the start of the intervention. DVA knowledge, skills and attitudes were assessed using a survey at baseline and at 6 and 12 months after start of the intervention. Electronic patient files were used to identify detected and referred cases of DVA. Outcomes were compared between the intervention and control teams using a generalized linear mixed model. During the 12-month follow-up, detection and referral rates did not differ between the intervention and control teams. However, improvements in knowledge, skills and attitude during that follow-up period were greater in intervention teams than in control teams: β 3.21 (95% CI 1.18-4.60). Our trial showed that a training program on DVA knowledge and skills in CMH teams can increase knowledge and attitude towards DVA. However, our intervention does not appear to increase the detection or referral rates of DVA in patients with a severe mental illness. A low detection rate of DVA remains a major problem. Interventions with more obligatory elements and a focus on improving communication between CMH teams and DVA services are recommended.
Topics: Crime Victims; Domestic Violence; Humans; Mental Disorders; Mental Health; Referral and Consultation
PubMed: 33866860
DOI: 10.1177/08862605211004177 -
Women's Health (London, England) 2022Survivors of intimate partner violence are at elevated risk for HIV acquisition, yet there is limited research on the best strategies to optimize biomedical HIV...
BACKGROUND
Survivors of intimate partner violence are at elevated risk for HIV acquisition, yet there is limited research on the best strategies to optimize biomedical HIV prevention, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis among this population. Domestic violence agencies are critical collaborating partners and function as potential entry points into HIV prevention services for survivors; however, limited knowledge regarding HIV prevention has been an important barrier to advocate-led discussions. This study aimed to develop, implement, and evaluate an HIV prevention intervention for domestic violence advocates.
SETTING
A nonrandomized, group-based intervention with pre-intervention, immediate post-intervention, and 3-month post-intervention periods were conducted with multiple domestic violence agencies in Mississippi.
METHODS
Overall, 25 domestic violence advocates participated in the two-session intervention. Surveys were administered to assess pre-exposure prophylaxis knowledge, self-efficacy, subjective norms, and willingness to provide HIV prevention services to intimate partner violence survivors. Generalized estimating equations were conducted to assess change in behavioral outcomes over time.
RESULTS
Compared to pre-intervention, there were significant increases at immediate and 3-month post-intervention in advocates' intervention acceptability, pre-exposure prophylaxis knowledge, and self-efficacy to provide HIV prevention information, discuss pre-exposure prophylaxis eligibility criteria, assist pre-exposure prophylaxis-engaged clients, and initiate pre-exposure prophylaxis counseling.
CONCLUSION
This group-based intervention enhanced domestic violence advocates' acceptability, pre-exposure prophylaxis knowledge, and self-efficacy to offer HIV care information, discuss pre-exposure prophylaxis eligibility, assist pre-exposure prophylaxis-engaged survivors, and initiate pre-exposure prophylaxis counseling with intimate partner violence survivors. Efforts should focus on training domestic violence advocates in HIV prevention care for survivors and also include these agencies in collaborative strategies to reduce HIV incidence.
Topics: Domestic Violence; Feasibility Studies; HIV Infections; Humans; Intimate Partner Violence; Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis
PubMed: 35001751
DOI: 10.1177/17455065211070548 -
Violence Against Women Aug 2021Key findings are presented from an empirical study profiling 1,474 cases of honor-based abuse (HBA) known to police and victim services in England and Wales. Thematic...
Key findings are presented from an empirical study profiling 1,474 cases of honor-based abuse (HBA) known to police and victim services in England and Wales. Thematic and quantitative (regression) analyses were used to investigate whether and how HBA differed from other forms of domestic abuse and forced marriage. A new typology of HBA is proposed, based principally on the relationship(s) between victim and perpetrator(s). Interpreted within an overarching lens of gender-based violence, it is argued that Type 1 (partner abuse) and Type 3 (partner plus family abuse) are culturally specific forms of domestic abuse, whereas Type 2 (family abuse) is distinct.
Topics: Domestic Violence; England; Humans; Marriage; Police; Spouse Abuse; Wales
PubMed: 32867628
DOI: 10.1177/1077801220952168 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jan 2023While domestic and family violence against people with disabilities is an ongoing and crucial public health concern, and awareness of the extent of violence against... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
While domestic and family violence against people with disabilities is an ongoing and crucial public health concern, and awareness of the extent of violence against people with disabilities is growing, research on the field is still limited. Thus, the present review aims to systematically identify and synthesize evidence and effectiveness from intervention strategies to increase the awareness and skills of those with disabilities to reduce and prevent domestic and family violence against them.
METHOD
PRISMA guidelines were followed to perform a systematic search of seven scientific databases to identify the peer-reviewed literature.
RESULTS
A total of 17 eligible studies were identified (14 evaluations and 3 descriptive studies), with most taking place in developed countries. Children and women are the most frequent victims, and they were therefore the most common target audience of the included studies. Sexual, physical, and verbal abuse were the most reported types of abuse, while financial abuse and neglect were studied less often. Interventions also focused on a diversity of disabilities, including learning, intellectual, mental, and physical impairments. Overall, the intervention strategies reflected a substantial homogeneity: focus on training and education as well as setting up channels and facilities for victims to seek help. Nine studies yielded significant positive outcomes using various strategies and techniques, while five studies had mixed results, and three studies only reported on the intervention strategies but did not evaluate the results.
CONCLUSIONS
This review confirms a significant gap in the literature on domestic and family violence against people with disabilities and how to prevent and address the violence through evidence-based interventions. Several recommendations to improve future research and practice are proposed.
Topics: Humans; Female; Child; Domestic Violence; Disabled Persons; Aggression; Learning; Sexual Behavior
PubMed: 36767512
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032145 -
BMC Family Practice Jun 2020Domestic violence and abuse (DVA) is common and damaging to health. UK national guidance advocates a multi-agency response to DVA, and domestic homicide reviews...
BACKGROUND
Domestic violence and abuse (DVA) is common and damaging to health. UK national guidance advocates a multi-agency response to DVA, and domestic homicide reviews consistently recommend improved information-sharing between agencies. Identification of patients experiencing DVA in general practice may come from external information shared with the practice, such as police incident reports and multi-agency risk assessment conference (MARAC) reports. The aim of this study was to explore the views of general practitioners (GPs) and the police about sharing reports about DVA with GPs.
METHODS
Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with GPs, police staff and a partnership manager. Participants were located across England and Wales. Thematic analysis was undertaken.
RESULTS
Interviews were conducted with 23 GPs, six police staff and one former partnership manager. Experiences of information-sharing with GPs about DVA varied. Participants described the relevance and value of external reports to GPs to help address the health consequences of DVA and safeguard patients. They balanced competing priorities when managing this information in the electronic medical record, namely visibility to GPs versus the risk of unintended disclosure to patients. GPs also spoke of the judgements they made about exploring DVA with patients based on external reports, which varied between abusive and non-abusive adults and children. Some felt constrained by short general practice consultations. Some police and GPs reflected on a loss of control when information about DVA was shared between agencies, and the risk of unintended consequences. Both police and GPs highlighted the importance of clear information and a shared understanding about responsibility for action.
CONCLUSION
GPs regarded external reports about DVA as relevant to their role, but safely recording this information in the electronic medical record and using it to support patients required complex judgements. Both GPs and police staff emphasised the importance of clarity of information and responsibility for action when information was shared between agencies about patients affected by DVA.
Topics: Adult; Child; Domestic Violence; Electronic Health Records; Female; General Practitioners; Humans; Information Dissemination; Interdisciplinary Communication; Interprofessional Relations; Law Enforcement; Male; Physical Abuse; Physician's Role; Police; Primary Health Care; Psychosocial Support Systems; Risk Assessment; United Kingdom
PubMed: 32576145
DOI: 10.1186/s12875-020-01171-4 -
Reproductive Health Dec 2019Domestic violence is common public health problem. Domestic violence related disclosure is an important first step in the process of prevention, control and treatments... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Domestic violence is common public health problem. Domestic violence related disclosure is an important first step in the process of prevention, control and treatments of domestic violence related adverse effect. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of domestic violence related disclosure and synthesize its associated factors.
METHODS
We followed the PRISMA Guidelines to report the results of the finding. Databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library and Web of Sciences were searched. The heterogeneity between studies was measured by the index of heterogeneity (I statistics) test. Funnel plots and Egger's test were used to determine publication bias. Moreover, sensitivity analysis was carried out. To calculate the pooled prevalence, a random effects model was utilized.
RESULTS
Twenty one eligible studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of domestic violence related non-disclosure was found to be 36.2% (95% CI, 31.8-40.5%). Considering violence as normal or not serious, shame, embarrassment and fear of disclosure related consequences were the common barriers for non-disclosure.
CONCLUSION
More than one third of women and girls were not disclosed their experience of domestic violence. The finding of this study suggests the need of evaluation and strengthening of the collaborative work among different sectors such as: policy-makers, service providers, administrative personnel and community leaders including the engagement of men partner. This study also suggests the needs of women empowerments against the traditional belief, attitude, and practice.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Disclosure; Domestic Violence; Ethiopia; Female; Humans; Prevalence; Sexual Partners
PubMed: 31870388
DOI: 10.1186/s12978-019-0845-z -
BMJ Open Jun 2022Over two million adults experience domestic violence and abuse (DVA) in England and Wales each year. Domestic homicide reviews often show that health services have...
BACKGROUND
Over two million adults experience domestic violence and abuse (DVA) in England and Wales each year. Domestic homicide reviews often show that health services have frequent contact with victims and perpetrators, but healthcare professionals (HCPs) do not share information related to DVA across healthcare settings and with other agencies or services.
AIM
We aimed to analyse and highlight the commonalities, inconsistencies, gaps and ambiguities in English guidance for HCPs around medical confidentiality, information sharing or DVA specifically.
SETTING
The English National Health Service.
DESIGN AND METHOD
We conducted a desk-based review, adopting the READ approach to document analysis. This approach is a method of qualitative health policy research and involves four steps for gathering, and extracting information from, documents. Its four steps are: (1) Ready your materials, (2) Extract data, (3) Analyse data and (4) Distill your findings. Documents were identified by searching websites of national bodies in England that guide and regulate clinical practice and by backwards citation-searching documents we identified initially.
RESULTS
We found 13 documents that guide practice. The documents provided guidance on (1) sharing information without consent, (2) sharing with or for multiagency risk assessment conferences (MARACs), (3) sharing for formal safeguarding and (4) sharing within the health service. Key findings were that guidance documents for HCPs emphasise that sharing information without consent can happen in only exceptional circumstances; documents are inconsistent, contradictory and ambiguous; and none of the documents, except one safeguarding guide, mention how coercive control can influence patients' free decisions.
CONCLUSIONS
Guidance for HCPs on sharing information about DVA is numerous, inconsistent, ambiguous and lacking in detail, highlighting a need for coherent recommendations for cross-speciality clinical practice. Recommendations should reflect an understanding of the manifestations, dynamics and effects of DVA, particularly coercive control.
Topics: Adult; Delivery of Health Care; Domestic Violence; Health Personnel; Humans; Qualitative Research; State Medicine
PubMed: 35710255
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-057022 -
Neuropsychopharmacology Reports Mar 2024Domestic violence is an important public health and human rights problem. In most countries of the world, including Iran, the COVID-19 pandemic made quarantine necessary...
AIM
Domestic violence is an important public health and human rights problem. In most countries of the world, including Iran, the COVID-19 pandemic made quarantine necessary to reduce the disease transmission rate. Therefore, due to the spread of the COVID-19 disease and the emergence of mandatory quarantine conditions, the present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of domestic violence against women during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran.
METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, which was done in 2020, 240 married women were investigated. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, data collection was performed through virtual networks using standard questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Descriptive statistics (relative frequencies, mean, and standard deviation) were used to determine the extent of violence. Independent t-test and Chi-square were used to analyze the data of the relation between the types of violence with independent variables. Also, the data were analyzed using the logistic regression model.
RESULTS
In this study, 240 married women with a mean age of 36.27 were studied. The highest frequency was related to social violence (56.3%), and the lowest was related to financial and verbal violence (11.7%). In addition, a significant relationship was observed between sexual violence and age (p-value < 0.05). A significant relationship was also observed between social violence and education [(OR = 1.99)] Jobs [(OR = 2.4, CI = 95%, 1.30-4.4), quarantine duration [(OR = 1.94, CI = 95%, 0.98-3.7)] and underlying diseases [OR = 1.90].
CONCLUSION
The high prevalence of domestic violence against women during quarantine indicates the poor health of women in society. Therefore, the roots of violence against women and methods to reduce this problem should be sought. Therefore, identification of subjects at risk and raising women's knowledge may be useful for the prevention of domestic violence and its physical and psychological complications.
Topics: Humans; Female; Adult; Iran; Prevalence; Cross-Sectional Studies; Pandemics; COVID-19; Domestic Violence
PubMed: 37731301
DOI: 10.1002/npr2.12375 -
BMC Women's Health Nov 2021Globally, one in three women experienced domestic violence. Alike the scenario observed in India, and a very few studies talk about violence and its consequences on...
BACKGROUND
Globally, one in three women experienced domestic violence. Alike the scenario observed in India, and a very few studies talk about violence and its consequences on women's health. Hence, the purpose of this study is to access the level of various types of spousal violence in India and to understand the association between physical, sexual and emotional violence against ever-married women by their husbands. The study further examines the consequences of spousal violence on women's health in terms of adverse pregnancy outcomes and reproductive health in India.
METHODS
The study uses secondary data from National Family Health Survey-4 (NFHS-4, 2015-16). The analysis was based on a sample of ever-married women aged 15-49 years. Bivariate descriptive analysis and multiple regression analyses have been carried out to understand the association between spousal violence and its consequences on women's health.
RESULTS
The study finds that the physical, sexual and emotional violence experienced by ever-married women in India are 29.8%, 13.8% and 7.0%, respectively. Further, the physical and sexual violence experienced by women have a significant association with an unwanted pregnancy, abortion, miscarriages and ever had termination of pregnancies. The regression analysis shows that violence by sexual partners among battered women increased the likelihood of unwanted pregnancy. Similarly, abortion and ever had a termination of pregnancies are also adversely affected by partner violence. Further, the risk of sexually transmitted infection increases 77% by sexual violence and 44% by emotional violence among battered women. Also, Sexual violence substantially increases the risk of prolonged labour during pregnancy.
CONCLUSION
This study revealed that one in three women experiencing violence by their husband and also it is evident that various forms of spousal violence adversely affect pregnancies outcomes and reproductive health among battered women compared to not battered.
Topics: Domestic Violence; Female; Humans; India; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Reproductive Health; Risk Factors; Spouse Abuse
PubMed: 34719387
DOI: 10.1186/s12905-021-01515-x -
Ciencia & Saude Coletiva Nov 2023The scope of this study was to highlight what has been discussed about addressing violence against children and adolescents in the context of the Family Health Strategy... (Review)
Review
The scope of this study was to highlight what has been discussed about addressing violence against children and adolescents in the context of the Family Health Strategy in the scientific literature. It involved an integrative review of the literature, conducted in the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (Medline), Latin American and Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences (LILACS), Web of Science and American Psychological Association (PsycINFO) databases. In the survey, the controlled descriptors in Health Sciences (DeCS) and the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) were used, including domestic violence, child abuse, educational technology and primary health care for DeCS and MeSH. A total of 2,403 results were obtained, with the application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and 15 articles were analyzed. Violence has been seen as a public health problem, being identified as a sensitive problem in PHC. Despite the identification of cases of violence against children and adolescents in the FHS, the lack of preparedness of professionals and the fragility in the coping network prejudice the adequate care for this public. Thus, there is a need to strengthen the network available and encourage the capacity building and training of professionals working in PHC.
Topics: Humans; Adolescent; Child; Family Health; Domestic Violence; Child Abuse; Public Health; Adaptation, Psychological
PubMed: 37971007
DOI: 10.1590/1413-812320232811.09662021