Acceptance of routine or case-based inquiry for intimate partner violence: a mixed method study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Obstetrics & Gynecology
• Sociology

Background:

• Intimate partner violence (IPV) poses significant health risks, prompting international recommendations for healthcare provider screening.
• Germany lacks established protocols for routine or case-based IPV inquiry during antenatal care.
• This study investigates the acceptability of IPV screening among pregnant women in Germany.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the acceptability of routine or case-based intimate partner violence (IPV) inquiry during antenatal care for pregnant German women.
• To identify factors associated with the acceptance of IPV screening in this population.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach combining a self-administered survey with in-depth interviews.
• Survey conducted in a university hospital's maternity ward in Munich with 401 participants.
• Interviews conducted with seven women who had experienced violence during pregnancy.

Main Results:

• 92% of surveyed women favored routine or case-based IPV inquiry during antenatal care.
• Acceptance was linked to prior experiences of child sexual abuse, younger age, lower education, single/divorced status, and smoking during pregnancy.
• Key conditions for acceptability included adequate screening training, sufficient time, and provision of referral information.

Conclusions:

• Overwhelming support exists among pregnant German women for routine IPV screening in antenatal care.
• Healthcare providers need enhanced awareness of IPV prevalence and health impacts during pregnancy.
• Implementation requires adequate training for professionals to conduct IPV inquiries effectively and professionally.