Knowledge, attitude, and preparedness toward IPV care provision among nurses and midwives in Tanzania

Abstract

Background: With increasing recognition of intimate partner violence (IPV) as a public health challenge, nurses and midwives are recognized for their crucial role in providing front-line healthcare services for IPV. This study aimed to evaluate knowledge, attitude, and preparedness related to IPV care provision in health facilities among nurses and midwives in Tanzania. Methods: A self-administered anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted among nurses and midwives working in health facilities in the Mbeya region between December 2018 and January 2019. The questionnaire consisted of questions on their perceived and actual knowledge, attitudes, and preparedness to provide care in relation to IPV. Results: A total of 662 (50.1%) of 1321 nurses and midwives who worked in hospitals and/or health centers in the Mbeya region participated in this study, and 461 (69.6%) completed questionnaires were included in the analysis. The proportion of nurses and midwives with high scores in IPV perceived knowledge, actual knowledge, attitude, and preparedness to provide care was 59.9%, 53.1%, 54.2%, and 54.0%, respectively. Regardless of the type of facility, gender, educational level, and work experience, the use of IPV guidelines was significantly associated with high scores in IPV perceived knowledge (P < 0.001), actual knowledge (P = 0.004), and preparedness to provide care (P < 0.001), but not attitude, which was negatively associated (P = 0.048). Regardless of the type of facility, gender, educational level, and work experience, receiving preservice IPV training was associated with high scores in IPV perceived knowledge (P < 0.001), actual knowledge (P = 0.049), and preparedness to provide care (P = 0.002), but not attitude (P = 0.192). Regardless of the type of facility, gender, educational level, and work experience, inservice IPV training was associated with high scores in IPV perceived knowledge (P < 0.001), actual knowledge (P = 0.043), and preparedness to provide care (P = 0.001), but not attitude (P = 0.063). Conclusions: Although guidelines and training could improve nurses' and midwives' knowledge and preparedness to provide care regarding IPV, attitudes against IPV care are a challenge. To improve attitudes regarding IPV among front-line nurses and midwives, it is necessary to address concepts of IPV care and sympathy with potential and actual victims of IPV in pre-and in-service training in addition to providing recall-level knowledge.

Measuring the readiness to screen and manage intimate partner violence: Cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric evaluation of the PREMIS tool for perinatal care providers

“…This instrument has been adapted and widely used in multiple populations, cultures and languages [16,[21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33]. It was also used to measure the effectiveness of IPV training programs proposed to physicians [20], practicing general practitioners and residents of general practice [34], nurses [35], and healthcare providers working in fracture clinics [36].…”

Measuring Nurses’ and Physicians’ Attitudes and Perceptions of the Appropriate Interventions towards Intimate Partner Violence in Saudi Arabia

“…The results showed that (58%) of the participants had not trained enough to manage IPV, as only (20%) of them reported reading their institution’s protocol within their hospitals, and (26%) had gained knowledge as part of the undergraduate medical/nursing curriculum. The current level of previous training was low compared to other studies in which the sample were healthcare providers [ 19 , 22 , 23 ], and higher than a sample of healthcare students [ 24 , 25 ]. These results draw attention to the need for educational training resources, health policies, and public advocacies that support the health care providers in building their competency in dealing with IPV cases in ER.…”

“…A systematic review found that nurses were not prepared to deal with IPV cases because they lacked the proper education and skills in identifying the symptoms and communicating with the victims [ 18 ]. Previous studies show that gender, educational level, work experience, and receiving preservice IPV training were associated with high scores in the knowledge of IPV [ 19 , 20 ]. With the uprising prevalence of IPV as a public health concern, nurses and physicians are recognized for their vital role in providing healthcare services for IPV.…”

A qualitative content analysis of nurses' perceptions about readiness to manage intimate partner violence

“…On the other hand, as the results showed, nurses have not received specific and sufficient IPV training in their university studies. They also do not receive further training at their workplace (Alhalal, 2020; Ambikile et al, 2020; Gómez‐Fernández et al, 2017; Sundborg et al, 2012; Visentin et al, 2015; Zaher et al, 2014). Although IPV is included in the university nursing degree curriculum in Spain since 2008 (Order CIN/2134/2008, by which the requirements for the verification of official university degrees that enable the exercise of the profession of Nursing were obtained, 2008), a study published in 2019 found that 20% of the nursing training programmes in the country had not included this subject (Maquibar et al, 2019).…”

“…They also do not receive further training at their workplace (Alhalal, 2020;Ambikile et al, 2020;Gómez-Fernández et al, 2017;Sundborg et al, 2012;Visentin et al, 2015;Zaher et al, 2014) (Maquibar et al, 2019).…”