Postpartum Women's Evaluations of an Audio/Video Computer-Assisted Perinatal Violence Screen

Abstract

For universal screening to become a reality, research must first validate the effectiveness and acceptability of violence screening. This study describes postpartum women's perceptions of an anonymous computer-assisted self-interview for perinatal violence screening. A sample of 519 postpartum women completed interviews that included audio and video enhancements. Post-response evaluations were positive with most women, indicating that they preferred computer interviews to face-to-face or written abuse screening. In addition, participants indicated that the computer format and associated anonymity positively influenced their willingness to answer the violence questions truthfully. Computer interviews offer an alternative approach to violence screening that may help women who are hesitant to disclose abuse directly to their healthcare providers.

ACASI and Face-to-Face Interviews Yield Inconsistent Estimates of Domestic Violence Among Women in India: The Samata Health Study 2005-2009

“…In addition, for the vast majority of women who were using a computer for the first time, it may not have been as clear how ACASI data would be stored, analyzed, and interpreted in comparison with information disclosed in FTFI. Indeed, other studies on domestic violence have shown that ACASI may not be the optimal mode of data collection (Renker & Tonkin, 2007) or necessarily superior to FTFI (Kim et al, 2008; MacMillan et al, 2006). …”

Feasibility of Conducting Child Abuse Research with Girls in Juvenile Detention Using Audio-Computer Assisted Self-Interview (ACASI) Technology

“…This question is beyond the scope of our study but should be addressed by future research. Aside from the research usefulness of ACASI, because studies have suggested that participants may report more honestly with ACASI (Hewett et al, 2003;Renker & Tonkin, 2007;Turner et al, 1996), it could be quite useful clinically, especially in detention settings where risk profiles are typically high. The rate of reported physical abuse (25.7%) and sexual abuse (11.4%) in our study is outside the range of estimates for physical abuse (57-81%) (Acoca & Dedel, 1998;Belknap & Holsinger, 2006;Chamberlain & Moore, 2002;Ryder, 2007;Simkins et al, 2004) and sexual abuse (25-67%) (Abrantes, Hoffman, & Anton, 2005;Acoca & Dedel, 1998;Alemagno et al, 2006;Belknap & Holsinger, 2006;Chamberlain & Moore, 2002;Dembo, Williams, & Schmeidler, 1993;Goodkind, Ruffolo, Bybee, & Sarri, 2009;Gover, 2004;Lederman et al, 2004;Ruffolo, Sarri, & Goodkind, 2004;Simkins et al, 2004) reported by justiceinvolved girls.…”

“…Murphy et al, 2000) and those with histories of domestic violence (e.g. Renker & Tonkin, 2007). While ACASI has been used in diverse settings and with various topics, there have been relatively few studies that have used ACASI to assess child maltreatment (e.g.…”

Study protocol for a randomized, controlled, superiority trial comparing the clinical and cost- effectiveness of integrated online mental health assessment-referral-care in pregnancy to usual prenatal care on prenatal and postnatal mental health and infant health and development: the Integrated Maternal Psychosocial Assessment to Care Trial (IMPACT)

“…Computer-based psychosocial assessment conducted in primary care can address such limitations. Evidence exists that patients and providers find the use of computer-based screening acceptable and feasible for inquiring about sensitive issues, including prenatal [53] and postnatal intimate partner violence [54] and mental health [55,56]. It is also well-suited for busy clinical settings in that it offers consistency, is resource-sparing, can be tailored to meet the needs of patients, can be used with audio/video for low literacy, easily provides a real-time summary for patients/providers [56,57], achieves similar rates of disclosure to written- or interview-based screening, and is preferred by patients due to its perceived anonymity [56,58,59].…”