Nurses' roles in screening for intimate partner violence: a phenomenological study

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Public Health
• Sociology

Background:

• Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global health issue with high prevalence in the Eastern Mediterranean region.
• Screening for IPV by Jordanian nurses is notably low at 10.8%.
• Nurses face institutional and personal barriers impacting their IPV screening practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore and describe the roles and practices of Jordanian nurses in screening for intimate partner violence.
• To identify barriers and facilitators influencing nurses' IPV screening behaviors.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive phenomenological design was employed.
• Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with 12 Jordanian nurses.
• Colaizzi's phenomenological method guided the data analysis.

Main Results:

• Four key themes emerged: screening practices/roles, benefits/drawbacks of screening, hindering factors, and nurses' feelings towards screening.
• Screening practices and roles in suspected IPV cases were detailed.
• Personal beliefs were identified as a significant barrier to IPV screening.

Conclusions:

• Enhancing nurses' awareness of IPV screening importance is necessary.
• Professional education, training, and addressing personal beliefs are vital for improving screening.
• Enforcing screening policies and promoting culturally sensitive approaches are recommended for healthcare institutions.