A cross-sectional survey of pregnant women's perceptions of routine domestic and family violence screening and responses by midwives: Testing of three new tools

Creedy, DK; Baird, K; Gillespie, K

A cross-sectional survey of pregnant women's perceptions of routine domestic and family violence screening and responses by midwives: Testing of three new tools

Creedy, DK Baird, K

Gillespie, K

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Publisher:: Elsevier
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Women and Birth, 2020, 33, (4), pp. 393-400
Issue Date:: 2020

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Creedy, DK
dc.contributor.author	Baird, K https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0142-6962
dc.contributor.author	Gillespie, K
dc.date.accessioned	2020-07-27T06:42:03Z
dc.date.available	2019-06-25
dc.date.available	2020-07-27T06:42:03Z
dc.date.issued	2020
dc.identifier.citation	Women and Birth, 2020, 33, (4), pp. 393-400
dc.identifier.issn	1871-5192
dc.identifier.issn	1878-1799
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/141869
dc.description.abstract	© 2019 Australian College of Midwives Background: Implementing Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) screening, support, and prevention within maternity services is becoming common practice but women's experiences of screening are not routinely evaluated. Aims: (1) Explore pregnant women's experiences of routine DFV screening and perceptions of responses by midwives; and (2) undertake preliminary testing of three new tools. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, pregnant women (n = 210) attending an antenatal service were surveyed. Three new measures: beliefs about DFV screening; non-disclosure of DFV; and midwifery support were tested. Results: Most women (92.3% n = 194) recalled being screened. Twelve (5.8%) respondents had/were experiencing DFV. A quarter (24.1% n = 49) had experienced or witnessed violence in the home as a child. The scales were reliable and factor analysis established validity. Women reported positive beliefs (mean 35.38, SD 3.63 range 19–40) and views about midwifery support (mean 24.88, SD 3.08 range 18–30). There was less agreement about why some women do not disclose DFV (mean 21.97, SD 4.27, range 8–30). Women who experienced or witnessed violence as a child, or were experiencing violence now were less comfortable with screening. Comments (n = 75) revealed support for routine enquiry that was confidential, explained, and occurred in a trusting relationship. Discussion: Women were supportive of screening, but actual rates of disclosure were low. Women acknowledged the importance of screening but did not want their information shared. Conclusions: Women value screening, even if DFV is not disclosed. Exploring women's experiences is central to ensuring quality care.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	Elsevier
dc.relation.ispartof	Women and Birth
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.wombi.2019.06.018
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	11 Medical and Health Sciences
dc.subject.classification	Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine
dc.title	A cross-sectional survey of pregnant women's perceptions of routine domestic and family violence screening and responses by midwives: Testing of three new tools
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	33
utslib.location.activity	Netherlands
utslib.for	11 Medical and Health Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
dc.date.updated	2020-07-27T06:41:44Z
pubs.issue	4
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	33
utslib.citation.issue	4

Abstract:

© 2019 Australian College of Midwives Background: Implementing Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) screening, support, and prevention within maternity services is becoming common practice but women's experiences of screening are not routinely evaluated. Aims: (1) Explore pregnant women's experiences of routine DFV screening and perceptions of responses by midwives; and (2) undertake preliminary testing of three new tools. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, pregnant women (n = 210) attending an antenatal service were surveyed. Three new measures: beliefs about DFV screening; non-disclosure of DFV; and midwifery support were tested. Results: Most women (92.3% n = 194) recalled being screened. Twelve (5.8%) respondents had/were experiencing DFV. A quarter (24.1% n = 49) had experienced or witnessed violence in the home as a child. The scales were reliable and factor analysis established validity. Women reported positive beliefs (mean 35.38, SD 3.63 range 19–40) and views about midwifery support (mean 24.88, SD 3.08 range 18–30). There was less agreement about why some women do not disclose DFV (mean 21.97, SD 4.27, range 8–30). Women who experienced or witnessed violence as a child, or were experiencing violence now were less comfortable with screening. Comments (n = 75) revealed support for routine enquiry that was confidential, explained, and occurred in a trusting relationship. Discussion: Women were supportive of screening, but actual rates of disclosure were low. Women acknowledged the importance of screening but did not want their information shared. Conclusions: Women value screening, even if DFV is not disclosed. Exploring women's experiences is central to ensuring quality care.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/141869