Nurses' attitudes and practices towards abused women

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Public Health
• Sociology

Background:

• Domestic violence is a significant public health issue affecting women.
• Nurses play a critical role in identifying and supporting survivors of abuse.
• Existing training and practices among nurses regarding domestic violence care require assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess nurses' knowledge, training, and practices concerning the care of abused women.
• To identify gaps in nurses' preparedness to intervene in cases of domestic violence.
• To inform the development of targeted in-service training programs.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive survey design was employed.
• A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to nurses in the Aland Islands, Finland.
• Response rate was 57%.

Main Results:

• A majority of nurses reported no formal training in domestic violence.
• Nurses without in-service training were less likely to intervene with abused women.
• Nurses' knowledge, beliefs, and practices regarding abuse care were found to be unsystematic and lacking.
• Nurses were unfamiliar with established health administration protocols for supporting abused women.

Conclusions:

• There is an urgent need for comprehensive in-service training for nurses on domestic violence.
• Effective training can enhance nurses' ability to identify abuse survivors and intervene appropriately.
• Improved training is essential to promote the health and well-being of abused women.