Abstract
Objective
This study sought to understand how obstetrician gynaecologists (OB/GYNs) in Edmonton,
Alberta screen prenatal patients for intimate partner violence (IPV). It also aimed
to explore attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions regarding IPV and identify barriers
to screening for IPV. Institutional protocols, resources, and support available to
clinicians and patients were also reviewed.
Methods
All Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada–certified OB/GYNs practicing
general obstetrics in Edmonton were identified and were mailed letters and electronic
questionnaires with two follow-up letters or emails at 2-week intervals. Personal
and clinical practice demographic information was collected. Physicians' perceptions,
screening practices, and barriers to screening were identified. Responses were collected,
stored, and analyzed using a secure online database, Research Electronic Data Capture
Database; all responses were completely anonymous.
Results
Of 58 physicians surveyed, 49 completed questionnaires (84% response rate). A total
of 33% of respondents either never or rarely screened women for IPV during prenatal
visits, 69% either never or rarely screened for childhood abuse, 94% did not have
a screening protocol, and 77% did not have written materials to provide to patients.
Multiple barriers were identified. A total of 94% of OB/GYNs believed that they were
inadequately screening for IPV.
Conclusion
Screening of pregnant women for IPV and a history of abuse is suboptimal. There are
multiple barriers (cultural, societal, economic, and institutional) that prevent women
from being screened for IPV and receiving appropriate support services.
Résumé
Objectif
Cette étude avait pour but de décrire l’approche des obstétriciens-gynécologues d’Edmonton
(Alberta) en ce qui a trait au dépistage de la violence conjugale (VC) chez les patientes
enceintes. Elle visait aussi à explorer les attitudes, les croyances et les perceptions
à l’égard de la VC et à repérer les obstacles à son dépistage. Nous avons également
examiné les protocoles institutionnels, les ressources et le soutien offert aux cliniciens
et aux patientes.
Méthodologie
Nous avons envoyé à tous les obstétriciens-gynécologues certifiés par le Collège royal
des médecins et chirurgiens du Canada qui exercent l’obstétrique générale à Edmonton
des lettres et des questionnaires électroniques, puis deux lettres ou courriels de
suivi à deux semaines d’intervalle. Des renseignements personnels et des renseignements
sur les caractéristiques démographiques de leurs patientes ont également été recueillis.
Nous avons ensuite relevé les perceptions, les pratiques de dépistage et les obstacles
au dépistage des médecins, nous avons recueilli, stocké et analysé les réponses à
l’aide d’une base de données sécurisée en ligne, la Research Electronic Data Capture
Database. Toutes les réponses étaient entièrement anonymes.
Résultats
Des 58 médecins sondés, 49 ont rempli les questionnaires (taux de réponse : 84 %).
Au total, 33 % des répondants procédaient rarement ou jamais au dépistage de la VC
durant une visite prénatale, 69 % procédaient rarement ou jamais au dépistage des
mauvais traitements au cours de l’enfance, 94 % n’avaient pas de protocole de dépistage
et 77 % n’avaient pas de documents papier à fournir aux patientes. Un grand nombre
d’obstacles ont été relevés. Au total, 94 % des obstétriciens-gynécologues considéraient
que leur approche de dépistage de la VC était insuffisante.
Conclusion
Le dépistage de la VC et des antécédents de mauvais traitements chez les femmes enceintes
est sous-optimal. Un grand nombre d’obstacles (culturels, sociétaux, économiques et
institutionnels) rendent le dépistage difficile et empêchent ces femmes d’obtenir
des services de soutien approprié.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 26, 2018
Accepted:
May 1,
2018
Received:
January 22,
2018
Footnotes
Competing interests: See Acknowledgements.
Identification
Copyright
Copyright © 2019 The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada/La Société des obstétriciens et gynécologues du Canada. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
