Domestic violence screening in maternal and child health nursing practice: a scoping review

This scoping review explores the breadth of literature on domestic violence (DV) screening by nurses, within the well child setting. The review followed the introduction of universal DV screening into the Victorian maternal and child health (MCH) service, in Australia. A scoping review provides a panoramic overview of a chosen topic that may be later used to influence policy and practice. This review explored the literature in the well child area, with a view to identifying further research priorities. The 'Arksey and O'Malley (2005) framework' was used to ensure methodological rigor. There was little relevant research on DV screening in the well child setting. Emergent themes included barriers and enabling factors associated with DV screening and children at risk. From this research we can conclude that further research is required on the appropriateness of DV screening, risk assessment and referral in MCH practice.