Screening male primary care patients for intimate partner violence perpetration

Primary prevention of intimate partner violence (IPV) at the level of the primary care provider is unexplored.

We sought to identify whether men disclose current IPV perpetration when asked by a primary care provider.

Cross-sectional study.

Consecutive male patients of 6 providers in public health, university, and VA hospital clinics.

Men were screened for IPV perpetration during routine visits, then given a Conflict Tactics Scale questionnaire (CTS2) to complete and mail back anonymously.

One hundred twenty-eight men were screened; 46 (36%) returned CTS2 questionnaires. Twenty-three and 2 men disclosed past and current perpetration to providers, respectively. Providers assessed lethality/safety issues in 58% of those reporting a perpetration history (including both with current perpetration), responded with direct counseling to 63% (including both with current perpetration), and referred 17% for services related to the screening (including 1 with current perpetration). Nine and 26 men reported current, CTS2-assessed physical and psychological aggression of a partner, respectively.

Men appear to underreport current IPV perpetration in face-to-face primary care encounters when compared to other methods of reporting. Men may more readily report past IPV perpetration in face-to-face encounters.