Enhancing assessment of interpersonal violence (IPV) pregnancy-related homicide risk within nursing curricula

Sexual Coercion, Intimate Partner Violence, and Homicide: A Scoping Literature Review

The specific relationship between sexual coercion, intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy, and intimate partner homicide (IPH) is poorly understood. Through a scoping literature review, we identified 101 studies on sexual coercion, IPV during pregnancy, and IPH and created a conceptual model suggesting unintended pregnancies may serve as both a risk factor for and a product of IPV that may escalate to IPH. We illustrate a healthcare systems intervention implication of this model in the context of the Colorado Family Planning Initiative (CFPI). Descriptive statistics suggest an inverse association between contraception access and IPH, which declined by 62% during the first 4 years of the CFPI. Interventions aimed at improving reproductive agency, including improving contraception access and reducing unintended pregnancy, may be a useful opportunity for clinician and health systems to contribute to reducing both lethal and nonlethal IPV.

A cross-sectional study of domestic violence instruction in nursing and midwifery programs: Out of step with community and student expectations

BACKGROUND

Domestic violence is a global health concern. Nurses and midwives must respond to those who experience domestic violence, although many are not prepared to do this. The World Health Organization recommend that domestic violence content be included in all pre-registration training as a matter of urgency.

OBJECTIVES

To examine self-reported undergraduate student perceptions of domestic violence content in their programs of study and student attitudes and beliefs about domestic violence.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional research design with online survey was employed from June to October 2017.

METHODS

Using convenience sampling, 1076 students were recruited to the study from a total population sample of just over 6000 undergraduate nursing and midwifery students; a response rate of 17.9%. Survey data reported the nature and frequency of teaching and learning along with student attitudes and beliefs about domestic violence. Open ended responses were examined via thematic analysis.

SETTINGS

Nine Australian universities offering undergraduate nursing and midwifery degrees.

PARTICIPANTS

Undergraduate university nursing and midwifery students.

RESULTS

Over half of students surveyed (53.7%, n = 578) reported that domestic violence was not addressed in their program of study. A direct correlation was found between students' perceived preparedness to assess and respond to domestic violence, and the amount of taught content in their program of study.

CONCLUSION

This major gap in curricula has significant implications for professional practice preparedness. Further research should focus on examining the reasons why quality domestic violence content is lacking in undergraduate nursing and midwifery programs and how prioritisation of domestic violence content can be improved.

Qualitative findings from an Australian study of inter-partner violence content within undergraduate health curriculum

Health care professionals are frequently one of the first points of contact in episodes of intimate partner violence (IPV). This paper presents qualitative data from a larger research project on IPV-related content in undergraduate curriculum for Australian health care professionals. IPV is a serious public health issue with findings from this paper supporting the proposition that key health care workers such as nurses, midwives and paramedics are ill prepared to respond to the challenges it poses.

OBJECTIVE

This study sought to better understand the barriers and facilitators to the inclusion of IPV-related content into undergraduate curricula for nurses, midwives and paramedics.

DESIGN

A multiple-phase, mixed method case study design was the overarching research framework.

SETTING

This is the first national study on the topic in Australia.

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS

Guided conversations with 18 academics teaching into undergraduate nursing, midwifery and paramedicine courses across Australia.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

There is a paucity of IPV-related content, with curriculum crowding being a major barrier to its inclusion. Additionally, the qualitative data suggests that IPV is not accepted by academics as being central to the role of a health care professional generally, and nursing more specifically. When contrasted to the emergent needs of those who experience IPV the findings from this study suggest that greater priority should be placed on increasing IPV-related content and academic's capability to teach that content.