The impact of a referral card-based intervention on intimate partner violence, psychosocial health, help-seeking and safety behaviour during pregnancy and postpartum: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background: We aimed to investigate the impact of a referral-based intervention in a prospective cohort of women disclosing intimate partner violence (IPV) on the prevalence of violence, and associated outcomes psychosocial health, help-seeking and safety behaviour during and after pregnancy. Methods: Women seeking antenatal care in eleven Belgian hospitals were consecutively invited from June 2010 to October 2012, to participate in a single-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) and handed a questionnaire. Participants willing to be interviewed and reporting IPV victimisation were randomised. In the Intervention Group (IG) participants received a referral card with contact details of services providing assistance and tips to increase safety behaviour. Participants in the Control Group (CG) received a "thank you" card. Follow-up data were obtained through telephone interview at an average of 10 months after receipt of the card. Results: At follow-up (n = 189), 66.7% (n = 126) of the participants reported IPV victimisation. Over the study-period, the prevalence of IPV victimisation decreased by 31.4% (P < 0.001), psychosocial health increased significantly (5.4/140, P < 0.001), 23.8% (n = 46/193) of the women sought formal help, 70.5% (n = 136/193) sought informal help, and 31.3% (n = 60/192) took at least one safety measure. We observed no statistically significant differences between the IG and CG, however. Adjusted for psychosocial health at baseline, the perceived helpfulness of the referral card seemed to be larger in the IG. Both the questionnaire and the interview were perceived to be significantly more helpful than the referral card itself (P < 0.001).

Interventions Addressing Social Needs in Perinatal Care: A Systematic Review

“…[25][26][27][28][29][30] The sequential selection process is detailed in Figure 1. Most studies were RCTs (n = 10) [25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39] or observational studies (n = 7). [40][41][42][43][44][45][46] The remainder of the study designs and quality ratings for all articles are detailed in Table 1.…”

An Integrative Review of Safety Strategies for Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

“…Parker, McFarlane, Soeken, Silva, & Reel, 1999; E. M. Parker et al, 2016; Van Parys, Deschepper, Roelens, Temmerman, & Verstraelen, 2017). Clinical settings have introduced safety planning as part of an educational component with IPV screening that does not require disclosure of violence experiences (Chamberlain & Levenson, 2012; Coker et al, 2012); however, these educational components usually require contact with a medical professional.…”

Counselling-based psychosocial intervention to improve the mental health of abused pregnant women: a protocol for randomised controlled feasibility trial in a tertiary hospital in eastern Nepal

“… 24 Therefore, it is unlikely that a brief intervention will reduce the episodes of DFV and fix everything that a victim is experiencing. 23 25 However, it is possible for victims to adopt strategies to promote their safety and well-being. 22 26 Considering this, safety planning has been the core concept of most DFV interventions.…”