Training reproductive health providers to talk about intimate partner violence and reproductive coercion: an exploratory study

Health Educ Res. 2018 Apr 1;33(2):175-185. doi: 10.1093/her/cyy007.

Abstract

To explore the effect of provider communication-skills training on frequency of intimate partner violence (IPV) and reproductive coercion (RC) assessment, four family planning clinics were randomized to IPV/RC communication-skills building workshop or standard knowledge-based IPV/RC training and compared to historical controls from the same clinics (before any training). Female patients aged 16-29 completed after-visit surveys. Primary outcomes included provider discussion about IPV/RC, receipt of safety card with IPV/RC resources and patient disclosure of IPV/RC. Chi-square tests were used to compare groups that received training and historical controls. Participants (training: n = 103; historical control: n = 576) were predominantly white with mean age of 22. More patients reported discussion about healthy relationships in both training groups (78-90%) compared to historical controls (49-52%, P < 0.001 for both). Discussion on birth control sabotage and pregnancy coercion was infrequent with patient-participants in both groups (6-17 and 4-13%, respectively). More patients in the clinics that received training reported receiving a safety card (72-84%) as compared to historical controls (9%, P < 0.001 for both). Overall, in this exploratory study, both communication-skills and standard training improved frequency of IPV communication when compared to historical controls but with few differences when compared to each other.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Ambulatory Care Facilities
  • Coercion*
  • Communication
  • Contraception / methods
  • Family Planning Services
  • Female
  • Health Personnel / education*
  • Humans
  • Intimate Partner Violence*
  • Pregnancy
  • Reproductive Health*
  • Sexual Partners*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult