A Research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of
the Witwatersrand in partial fulfillment of Master of Medicine in Emergency
Medicine
Johannesburg, 2016 / Objective
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant social and health concern in South Africa,
with far reaching consequences. One in three South African women will experience IPV,
and many of the survivors of IPV will have contact with Emergency Care Practitioners
(ECPs), either for treatment related to the direct sequelae of the abuse or for other health
issues. ECPs already play a role in identifying and managing IPV but current knowledge,
attitudes and practices were not known.
The aim of the study therefore was to describe current levels of knowledge, attitudes and
practices regarding IPV amongst ECPs, including doctors, nurses and paramedics in
South Africa and to describe differences according to the respondent's reported prior
training and profession.
Methods
A prospective, cross sectional study was performed using an online survey administered
anonymously to ECPs in South Africa. Information regarding demographic data,
qualification, prior IPV training, knowledge, attitudes and practices towards IPV were
obtained.
Results
One hundred and fifty three respondents completed the survey. Of those 56% were
doctors, 33% paramedics and 9.8% nurses. In total 65% reporting having received no
training on IPV. There was a significant association between respondents reporting
having received any IPV training and improved self-reported knowledge (p=0.0001), and
actual knowledge (p=0.011).
Of the respondents in clinical practice 75% had diagnosed IPV in the last six months,
although the frequency of diagnoses being made is lower than would be suggested by
the South African prevalence rates. Those respondents who reported any prior training
on IPV were more likely to have diagnosed IPV in the last 6 months (p= 0.0076) Most of
the ECPs who diagnosed IPV counselled the patients on options and/or referred to police
and/or social workers.
Conclusion
Although ECPs are diagnosing and managing IPV, training in this important health
concern is inadequate. Any reported training on IPV for ECPs improves self-reported
knowledge, actual knowledge and practices regarding IPV. / MT2017
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/22371 |
| Date | January 2016 |
| Creators | Hindle, Lucy Elizabeth |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | application/pdf |
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