Disclosure of Spousal Violence: Viewpoints From the Jordanian Society

The objectives of this study were to identify reasons behind not disclosing spousal violence and examine relationships between these reasons and women's demographic profile including the experience of spousal violence. Jordanian women ( N = 709) aged 16 to 66 years ( M = 32.6, SD = 8.7) attending health care centers were recruited. Results indicated that women's intentions to maintain the family unit and use of patience with abuser represented the top two reasons for not disclosing violence. Non-significant relationships were, generally, identified between not disclosing spousal violence and women's demographic profile. Women's justification of spousal violence and witnessing parental violence were the proposed reasons for women's lack of disclosure of violence. Implications for this study include health professionals' use of evidence-based knowledge and skills to deal with victims of violence. Researchers' roles include creating physical and emotional environment that urges disclosure of violence. Furthermore, they can contribute with health professionals in the implementation of health education programs directing victims and perpetrators in the places where they can be located. Proper collaboration between health professionals, researchers, and policy makers may significantly limit suffering of victims of violence.

Jordanian Nurses’ Barriers to Screening for Intimate Partner Violence

Screening rates for intimate partner violence (IPV) among nurses are still very low. The study purpose is to evaluate IPV screening and barriers by Jordanian nurses. A cross-sectional design was used with a stratified random sample ( N = 125) of Jordanian nurses. Findings included a significantly lower IPV screening rate among Jordanian nurses compared with those in the United States, no difference in screening between IPV victims compared with non-victimized nurses, and that the IPV screening barriers related to a lack of system support were the most clinically important barriers. Nurses can work in partnership with health care providers and managers to increase screening and overcome barriers.

Domestic Violence Screening and Treatment in the Workplace

The purpose of this study was to survey occupational health nurses about their perceived ability to screen for and treat domestic violence in the workplace. Occupational health nurses providing direct care or case management anonymously responded to the mailed Occupational Health Nurses' Survey on Screening for Domestic Violence in the Workplace. Findings indicate that occupational health nurses consider domestic violence screening and treatment to be components of their nursing role, but do not believe they have adequate training to competently care for workers who have experienced domestic violence. The occupational health nurses also did not believe policies existed in their workplace to assist them in treating these workers. Findings from this study can be used as the foundation for domestic violence education, policy development, and intervention research.

Successful implementation of universal woman abuse inquiry

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated a year-long professional development strategy to improve Public Health Nurse (PHN) documented abuse inquiry among low-risk postpartum women. Strategies included workshops and small group work at regular intervals.

DESIGN

A retrospective chart audit of cross-sectional data collected as part of the Healthy Babies/Healthy Children Program was conducted 1 year before and after the introduction of the Routine Universal Comprehensive Screening (RUCS) Program.

SAMPLE

Charts of all postpartum women who lived in one Ontario county (Canada) and who received a PHN home visit were reviewed (pre-RUCS, n=1,151; post-RUCS, n=1,193).

MEASUREMENT

Information regarding mother's age group and parity, month of PHN visit, abuse inquiry, and whether or not the woman was a single parent was abstracted.

RESULTS

Originally, there was documentation of abuse inquiry on only 0.8% of low-risk postpartum client charts. Women aged <20 years and single parents were significantly (p<.001) more likely to be asked, suggesting case-finding among PHNs. Post-RUCS abuse inquiry increased to 20.5% with no demographic differences between those groups asked.

CONCLUSION

Policy changes providing specific expectations and documentation cues can improve routine abuse inquiry. New policies can be effectively combined with existing programs and infrastructure, facilitating the longer term success of new initiatives.

Consumo de drogas y violencia laboral en mujeres trabajadoras de Monterrey, N. L., México

El propósito de este estudio fue explorar el consumo de drogas y violencia laboral en una muestra de 669 mujeres mayores de edad, que trabajaban y vivían en trece Áreas Geoestadísticas Básicas de Monterrey, Nuevo León, México. Se adoptó un diseño descriptivo y correlacional con aproximación cualitativa. Los resultados revelaron que el 37.1% de las mujeres consumió alcohol, el 29.1% tabaco, el 0.4% marihuana, el 0.1% inhalables y, entre las drogas médicas, el 5% consumió tranquilizantes y el 1.0% otras sustancias (barbitúricos, antidepresivos, Tylenol/codeína). La prueba chi-cuadrada no encontró diferencia significativa de los factores sociodemográficos y laborales con el consumo de drogas (p>.05), a excepción de la forma de trabajo (c2=18.08, gl=4, p=.001). Sin embargo, el índice de violencia mostró asociación positiva con el consumo de drogas (p<.05). Se encontraron 126 casos que experimentaron violencia, de las cuales 34 narraron su experiencia. La percepción del consumo de drogas y violencia se identificó en 2 categorías: La Conceptualización de la Violencia Laboral y la Relación entre la Violencia y el Consumo de Drogas.