Intimate partner violence and pregnancy: screening and intervention

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Domestic Violence Research

Background:

• Intimate partner violence (IPV) encompasses various forms of abuse with significant health impacts on women, both pregnant and non-pregnant.
• Historically, professional organizations hesitated to recommend universal IPV screening due to insufficient evidence of effectiveness, potential harm, and lack of consensus on screening tools.
• The absence of strong evidence for effective IPV interventions also served as a barrier to widespread screening implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current recommendations and evidence regarding the effectiveness of intimate partner violence screening and interventions.
• To highlight the importance of universal screening for intimate partner violence in obstetric and gynecologic care.
• To encourage healthcare providers to screen for IPV and connect identified victims with community resources.

Main Methods:

• Review of published data and recommendations concerning intimate partner violence screening tools and protocols.
• Analysis of evidence supporting the effectiveness and safety of IPV screening in clinical settings.
• Examination of data on the efficacy of interventions for women identified as experiencing intimate partner violence.

Main Results:

• Recent data confirm that screening is more effective than usual care for identifying victims of intimate partner violence in both pregnant and non-pregnant women.
• Evidence indicates that IPV screening is not harmful and may empower women, enhancing their trust in healthcare providers.
• Interventions following IPV screening have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing depressive symptoms, violence episodes, and improving pregnancy outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Despite low implementation rates, universal intimate partner violence screening is recommended for all women by obstetrician-gynecologists.
• Screening for IPV is reliable, safe, and can lead to positive outcomes through timely intervention.
• Healthcare providers should familiarize themselves with community resources to support women experiencing intimate partner violence.