Effectiveness of training to promote routine enquiry for domestic violence by midwives and nurses: A pre-post evaluation study

Kathleen M Baird; Amornrat S Saito; Jennifer Eustace; Debra K Creedy

doi:10.1016/j.wombi.2017.10.014

Effectiveness of training to promote routine enquiry for domestic violence by midwives and nurses: A pre-post evaluation study

Women Birth. 2018 Aug;31(4):285-291. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2017.10.014. Epub 2017 Nov 1.

Authors

Kathleen M Baird¹, Amornrat S Saito², Jennifer Eustace², Debra K Creedy³

Affiliations

¹ Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Queensland 4131, Australia; School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, University Drive, Meadowbrook, Queensland 4131, Australia. Electronic address: k.baird@griffith.edu.au.
² School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, University Drive, Meadowbrook, Queensland 4131, Australia.
³ Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Queensland 4131, Australia; School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, University Drive, Meadowbrook, Queensland 4131, Australia.

PMID: 29102526
DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2017.10.014

Abstract

Background: Asking women about experiences of domestic violence in the perinatal period is accepted best practice. However, midwives and nurses may be reluctant to engage with, or effectively respond to disclosures of domestic violence due a lack of knowledge and skills.

Aim: To evaluate the impact of training on knowledge and preparedness of midwives and nurses to conduct routine enquiry about domestic violence with women during the perinatal period.

Method: A pre-post intervention design was used. Midwives and nurses (n=154) attended a full day workshop. Of these, 149 completed pre-post workshop measures of knowledge and preparedness. Additional questions at post-training explored participants' perceptions of organisational barriers to routine enquiry, as well as anticipated impact of training on their practice. Training occurred between July 2015 and October 2016.

Findings: Using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, all post intervention scores were significantly higher than pre intervention scores. Knowledge scores increased from a pre-training mean of 21.5-25.6 (Z=-9.56, p<0.001) and level of preparedness increased from 40.8 to 53.2 (Z=-10.12, p<0.001). Most participants (93%) reported improved preparedness to undertake routine enquiry after training. Only a quarter (24.9%) felt their workplace allowed adequate time to respond to disclosures of DV.

Conclusions: Brief training can improve knowledge, preparedness, and confidence of midwives and nurses to conduct routine enquiry and support women during the perinatal period. Training can assist midwives and nurses to recognise signs of DV, ask women about what would be helpful to them, and address perceived organisational barriers to routine enquiry. Practice guidelines and clear referral pathways following DV disclosure need to be implemented to support gains made through training.

Keywords: Domestic violence; Evaluation; Midwives; Routine enquiry; Training.

MeSH terms

Adult
Domestic Violence*
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Health Promotion / organization & administration
Humans
Inservice Training / organization & administration*
Midwifery / education*
Nurse-Patient Relations
Nursing Evaluation Research
Perception
Pregnancy
Prenatal Care / organization & administration*
Program Evaluation
Spouse Abuse* / prevention & control