Abstract
Background
Intimate partner violence is recognised as a global public health issue. Living with
intimate partner violence results in poorer health status with reduced quality of
life and higher utilisation of health services. Increased awareness, education and
training, and an understanding of multi-agency collaboration are vital in order for
health practitioners to respond to women experiencing partner violence and abuse.
Midwives are well placed to identify, provide immediate support, and refer women onto
appropriate support agencies but may lack appropriate education, training or support.
Aim
To investigate midwives’ knowledge of intimate partner violence against women during
pregnancy.
Methods
An online survey link was distributed through the Australian College of Midwives.
The survey included personal, professional and practice details, and 25 questions
that tested knowledge about intimate partner violence.
Findings
152 midwives completed the online questionnaire. Knowledge scores ranged from 27 to
48 (out of a possible 50), with the mean total score of 42.8 (SD = 3.3). Although 60% of participants scored 48, two-thirds did not know about the risks
and signs of intimate partner violence. One-third of the midwives did not know about
age risks associated with intimate partner violence. Around 25% incorrectly believed
that perpetrators are violent because of alcohol or drug use. Nearly 90% (88%) of
participants had some education or training about intimate partner violence. Those
with some training achieved higher knowledge scores than those with no formal training
(Mann–Whitney U = 1272, p = 0.003).
Conclusion
Participating midwives generally reported a high level of knowledge about intimate
partner violence but held misconceptions about risks and characteristics of perpetrators
of violence. These knowledge gaps may adversely affect their ability to identify women
at risk of violence. Education about intimate partner violence was associated with
improved knowledge. Future training and education on intimate partner violence should
target identified knowledge gaps.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 12, 2015
Accepted:
January 23,
2015
Received in revised form:
January 22,
2015
Received:
November 18,
2014
Identification
Copyright
© 2015 Australian College of Midwives. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
