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BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth Mar 2020Domestic violence is a leading cause of social morbidity and may increase during and after pregnancy. In high-income countries screening, referral and management...
BACKGROUND
Domestic 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.
METHODS
We 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.
RESULTS
After 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.
CONCLUSIONS
Screening, 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 REGISTRATION
Systematic review registration number: PROSPERO CRD42018087713.
Topics: Domestic Violence; Female; Humans; India; Kenya; Nigeria; Peru; Pregnancy; Socioeconomic Factors; South Africa
PubMed: 32138721
DOI: 10.1186/s12884-020-2819-0 -
Global Health Action 2016Domestic violence and abuse (DVA) are associated with increased risk of mental illness, but we know little about the mental health of female DVA survivors seeking... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Domestic violence and abuse (DVA) are associated with increased risk of mental illness, but we know little about the mental health of female DVA survivors seeking support from domestic violence services.
OBJECTIVE
Our goal was to characterise the demography and mental health of women who access specialist DVA services in the United Kingdom and to investigate associations between severity of abuse and measures of mental health and health state utility, accounting for important confounders and moderators.
DESIGN
Baseline data on 260 women enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of a psychological intervention for DVA survivors were analysed. We report the prevalence of and associations between mental health status and severity of abuse at the time of recruitment. We used logistic and normal regression models for binary and continuous outcomes, respectively. The following mental health measures were used: Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation - Outcome Measure (CORE-OM), Patient Health Questionnaire, Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment, and the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale to measure posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Composite Abuse Scale (CAS) measured abuse.
RESULTS
Exposure to DVA was high, with a mean CAS score of 56 (SD 34). The mean CORE-OM score was 18 (SD 8) with 76% above the clinical threshold (95% confidence interval: 70-81%). Depression and anxiety levels were high, with means close to clinical thresholds, and more than three-quarters of respondents recorded PTSD scores above the clinical threshold. Symptoms of mental illness increased stepwise with increasing severity of DVA.
CONCLUSIONS
Women DVA survivors who seek support from DVA services have recently experienced high levels of abuse, depression, anxiety, and especially PTSD. Clinicians need to be aware that patients presenting with mental health conditions or symptoms of depression or anxiety may be experiencing or have experienced DVA. The high psychological morbidity in this population means that trauma-informed psychological support is needed for survivors who seek support from DVA services.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Domestic Violence; Female; Humans; Mental Disorders; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Social Support; Surveys and Questionnaires; Survivors; United Kingdom; Young Adult
PubMed: 26860876
DOI: 10.3402/gha.v9.29890 -
Global Public Health Apr 2017Domestic violence (DV) is prevalent among women in India and has been associated with poor mental and physical health. We performed a systematic review of 137... (Review)
Review
Domestic violence (DV) is prevalent among women in India and has been associated with poor mental and physical health. We performed a systematic review of 137 quantitative studies published in the prior decade that directly evaluated the DV experiences of Indian women to summarise the breadth of recent work and identify gaps in the literature. Among studies surveying at least two forms of abuse, a median 41% of women reported experiencing DV during their lifetime and 30% in the past year. We noted substantial inter-study variance in DV prevalence estimates, attributable in part to different study populations and settings, but also to a lack of standardisation, validation, and cultural adaptation of DV survey instruments. There was paucity of studies evaluating the DV experiences of women over age 50, residing in live-in relationships, same-sex relationships, tribal villages, and of women from the northern regions of India. Additionally, our review highlighted a gap in research evaluating the impact of DV on physical health. We conclude with a research agenda calling for additional qualitative and longitudinal quantitative studies to explore the DV correlates proposed by this quantitative literature to inform the development of a culturally tailored DV scale and prevention strategies.
Topics: Domestic Violence; Female; Humans; India; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Spouse Abuse
PubMed: 26886155
DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2015.1119293 -
Globalization and Health Jun 2021Due to COVID-19, domestic violence victims face a range of mental health challenges, possibly resulting in substantial human and economic consequences. However, there is... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Due to COVID-19, domestic violence victims face a range of mental health challenges, possibly resulting in substantial human and economic consequences. However, there is a lack of mental health interventions tailored to domestic violence victims and in the context of COVID-19. In this study, we aim to identify interventions that can improve domestic violence victims' mental health amid the COVID-19 pandemic to address the research gap.
MAIN TEXT
Drawing insights from established COVID-19 review frameworks and a comprehensive review of PubMed literature, we obtained information on interventions that can address domestic violence victims' mental health challenges amid COVID-19. We identified practical and timely solutions that can be utilized to address mental health challenges domestic violence victims face amid COVID-19, mainly focusing on (1) decreasing victims' exposure to the abuser and (2) increasing victims' access to mental health services.
CONCLUSION
Domestic violence is a public health crisis that affects all demographics and could result in significant morbidity and mortality. In addition to emphasizing mental health challenges faced by domestic violence victims, multidisciplinary interventions are identified that could provide timely and practical solutions to domestic violence victims amid the pandemic, which range from tailored shelter home strategies, education programs, escape plans, laws and regulations, as well as more technology-based mental health solutions. There is a significant need for more multipronged and multidisciplinary strategies to address domestic violence amid and beyond the pandemic, particularly interventions that could capitalize on the ubiquity and cost-effectiveness of technology-based solutions.
Topics: COVID-19; Crime Victims; Domestic Violence; Humans; Mental Disorders; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 34183030
DOI: 10.1186/s12992-021-00710-7 -
Revue Medicale de Liege Nov 2021Among the somatic and medical consequences of the pandemic linked to COVID-19, the increase in the rate of domestic violence and child abuse is one of the most serious...
Among the somatic and medical consequences of the pandemic linked to COVID-19, the increase in the rate of domestic violence and child abuse is one of the most serious and significant encountered in pediatrics. Indeed, if the reporting rate of ill-treatment of minors was abnormally low during the confinement of March-May 2020, the reopening of schools and psycho-social intervention teams in the spring made it possible to highlight a signifi¬cant increase in the number of worrying clinical situations. In some cases that meet strict hospitalization criteria, the social services call on specialized teams to take care of child victims of abuse. The purpose of this article is to des¬cribe and analyze the child abuse situations handled by the multidisciplinary team Cellule Maltraitance in the Pediatric Department of the CHU Liège between May and November 2020. We will also briefly describe the work and the multi¬disciplinary intervention of the Cellule Maltraitance.
Topics: COVID-19; Child; Child Abuse; Disease Outbreaks; Domestic Violence; Humans; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 34738751
DOI: No ID Found -
Academic Emergency Medicine : Official... Sep 1998To determine whether male victims of domestic violence have similar rates of violence perpetration compared with men evaluated in the ED with other causes of injury.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether male victims of domestic violence have similar rates of violence perpetration compared with men evaluated in the ED with other causes of injury.
METHODS
Case-control retrospective ED record review with linkage to police department records. Cases were identified by ICD code N-code 995.81 (adult maltreatment syndrome) over a 4-year period (January 1, 1991, to December 31, 1994) at one urban trauma center. Medical records were reviewed to confirm that the assailant was an intimate female partner. Controls were identified by E-codes 880-888 (unintentional falls) and matched by age, race, and date of visit. All names were linked to police department record information regarding arrests for domestic violence perpetration, nonaggravated assaults, aggravated assaults, firearms violations, and driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI). This information was reported without patient identifiers. Comparisons between cases and controls were made with chi2 analysis.
RESULTS
Forty-five cases and 45 controls were identified. The cases were injured by unarmed fights, E960 (31%); cuttings, E966 (33%); blunt objects, E968.2 (31%); and bites, E968.8 (5%). Median age (interquartile range) for cases was 32 (25.75, 38.25) years and for controls was 31 (25, 36.5) years. Median follow-up (interquartile range) of police records after ED visit was 45 (37, 50) months for cases and 45 (36.75, 51) months for controls. Fifty-one percent of the cases had arrests for domestic violence perpetration vs 22.2% of the controls (p=0.009). Forty-four percent of the cases had been arrested for nonaggravated assaults vs 20.0% of the controls (p=0.024). There was no statistical difference between the cases and controls in arrests for aggravated assaults (13.3% vs 4.4%), firearm violations (22.2% vs 17.8%), or DUIs (35.6% vs 20%).
CONCLUSION
Men who present to the ED with injuries inflicted by their female partners have a high rate of domestic violence perpetration. This information calls into question whether many male "victims" of domestic violence are injured in self-defense by the female "victim." Also, injury by a female partner may be a useful indicator to identify batterers, so they can be referred by appropriate resources.
Topics: Adult; Case-Control Studies; Domestic Violence; Emergency Medical Services; Humans; Male; Retrospective Studies; Statistics, Nonparametric
PubMed: 9754498
DOI: 10.1111/j.1553-2712.1998.tb02815.x -
International Journal of Environmental... Aug 2019Literature on pregnancy highlighted a large number of women abused by their partners, especially among low-income teenagers attending hospital for pregnancy check-ups....
BACKGROUND
Literature on pregnancy highlighted a large number of women abused by their partners, especially among low-income teenagers attending hospital for pregnancy check-ups. Pregnancy represents a key moment for diagnosing domestic violence.
METHOD
This study explores health professionals' perceptions and concerns about domestic violence against women in services dealing with pregnant women. The twenty-four interviewees were from an Obstetrical-Gynecological walk-in Clinic in the south of Italy. The textual data has been complementarily analyzed by means of two different procedures: Symbolic-structural semiotic analysis and Thematic content analysis.
RESULTS
What emerges is that the interviewees of the clinic do not regard the issue of domestic violence as a matter of direct interest for the health service. The clinic is seen as a place for urgent contact, but one where there is not enough time to dedicate to this kind of patient, nor an adequate space to care for and listen to them. Obstetricians and health personnel expressed a negative attitude when it comes to including questions regarding violence and abuse in pre-natal reports. Training for health and social professionals and the empowering of institutional support and networking practices are needed to increase awareness of the phenomenon among the gynecological personnel.
Topics: Adult; Attitude of Health Personnel; Domestic Violence; Female; Health Personnel; Humans; Italy; Male; Middle Aged; Perception; Pregnancy; Pregnant Women; Young Adult
PubMed: 31450677
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16173087 -
BMC Women's Health May 2014Domestic violence during pregnancy is a serious public health issue which threatens maternal and foetal health outcomes. The aim of the study was to explore prevalence...
BACKGROUND
Domestic violence during pregnancy is a serious public health issue which threatens maternal and foetal health outcomes. The aim of the study was to explore prevalence of domestic violence among pregnant women in southern Sweden (Scania) and to explore associations with background factors, as symptoms of depression and sense of coherence.
METHODS
This study has a cross-sectional design and is the first part of a longitudinal, cohort study. Inclusion criteria were women ≥ 18 years, registered at antenatal care when pregnant and who understand and write Swedish or English. Questionnaires were collected prospectively at seventeen antenatal care receptions situated in the two cities and six smaller municipalities in Scania. Statistical analyses were done using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, bivariate logistic regression and multiple regression with Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).
RESULTS
Study sample included 1939 women. History of violence was reported by 39.5% (n =761) women. Significant differences were obtained between the groups with or without history of violence regarding being single/living apart, unemployment, financial distress, smoking/snuffing, unintended pregnancy as well as history of miscarriage/legalised abortion (p < 0.001). Experience of domestic violence during pregnancy regardless of type or level of abuse was 1.0% (n = 18); history of physical abuse by actual intimate partner was 2.2% (n = 42). History of violence was the strongest risk factor associated with domestic violence during pregnancy, where all women (n = 18) exposed reported history of violence (p < 0.001). Several symptoms of depression (adjusted for low socio-economic status, miscarriage/abortion, single/living apart, lack of sleep, unemployment, age and parity) were associated with a 7.0 fold risk of domestic violence during pregnancy (OR 7.0; 95% CI: 1.9-26.3).
CONCLUSIONS
The reported prevalence of domestic violence during pregnancy in southwest Sweden is low. However, a considerable proportion of women reported history of living in a violent relationship. Both history of violence and the presence of several depressive symptoms detected in early pregnancy may indicate that the woman also is exposed to domestic violence during pregnancy. Increased attention to this vulnerable group of women is needed to improve maternal and child health.
Topics: Abortion, Induced; Abortion, Spontaneous; Adolescent; Adult; Cohort Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression; Domestic Violence; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Pregnancy, Unplanned; Prevalence; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Sense of Coherence; Sex Offenses; Spouse Abuse; Surveys and Questionnaires; Sweden; Young Adult
PubMed: 24885532
DOI: 10.1186/1472-6874-14-63 -
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Sep 2022Current understandings on service engagement by male victims of domestic violence and abuse (DVA) within the United Kingdom (UK) have generally been captured by...
Current understandings on service engagement by male victims of domestic violence and abuse (DVA) within the United Kingdom (UK) have generally been captured by qualitative research. As such, large-scale quantitative data detailing the profile, needs and outcomes of abused men, upon both presentation and use of services, is currently lacking. The present study analyzed the client data of 719 callers to a domestic abuse helpline for men in the UK. Findings showed that the overwhelming majority of callers reported they were abused by female perpetrators, most of whom were still their current partner, and that many of the men were fathers. Vulnerable populations (GBTQ+ and disabled men) were under-represented in the sample. Most men were seeking emotional support, along with a range of practical advice and signposting to other services. The confidentiality of the helpline was crucial for many men, and almost half had struggled to access the service (suggesting a severe lack of resourcing). Findings are discussed in relation to the need for gender-inclusive services, which cater for the unique challenges and barriers experienced by abused men.
Topics: Charities; Domestic Violence; Female; Gender Identity; Humans; Male; Qualitative Research; United Kingdom
PubMed: 34182828
DOI: 10.1177/08862605211028014 -
Canadian Family Physician Medecin de... Oct 1996
Topics: Domestic Violence; Family Practice; Humans
PubMed: 8894234
DOI: No ID Found