Intimate partner violence: a global health perspective

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Nursing Research
• Human Rights

Background:

• Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive human rights violation and a significant global health issue.
• Nurses, as the largest health workforce, are uniquely positioned to address IPV.
• Existing literature covers IPV's consequences, costs, prevalence, risk factors, perceptions, manifestations, and women's responses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the global literature on intimate partner violence.
• To highlight nursing implications, including intersectionality, multilevel approaches, social violence, lifespan considerations, and migration.
• To propose research and practice recommendations for nurses and foster international collaboration.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review on intimate partner violence from diverse countries.
• Synthesis of existing research findings on IPV's various facets.
• Integration of the author's research program on IPV.

Main Results:

• IPV has wide-ranging health consequences and significant societal costs.
• Understanding IPV requires considering intersectionality, social determinants, and the full lifespan.
• Nurses need specific training and support to address IPV effectively.

Conclusions:

• Nurses play a critical role in addressing intimate partner violence.
• Multifaceted nursing interventions are needed, considering social, economic, and cultural contexts.
• International collaboration and capacity-building are essential for tackling this global health problem.