Exploring women's perspectives on prenatal screening for adverse childhood experiences

To learn more about women's views on screening for adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) during healthcare visits in pregnancy.

Mixed methods with an online survey.

A convenience sample of 154 women with a history of one or more pregnancies was recruited through public health department social media pages in one predominantly rural region of a Midwest state.

Quantitative measures included demographic variables, ACE scores, and preferences regarding screening format, strategies, and resources. Additional perspectives were captured through open-ended questions.

Women's mean ACE score was 2.56 (SD = 2.37) with 68% reporting 0-3 ACEs and 32% reporting four or more. Routine screening for ACEs during prenatal care was supported by 67.5% of women with 9.1% indicating sometimes, 20.8% unsure, and 2.6% against. Strong preference was indicated for screening by one's physician or midwife (80.3%), in an exam room (83.1%), using an independently completed questionnaire (64.2%). Preferred approaches for screening and post-screening interventions also were identified with qualitative themes providing additional insights.

Findings inform strategies for efficiently and sensitively screening for ACEs during pregnancy, highlight the importance of using a trauma-informed approach, and provide direction for educational and interventional resource development.