While much attention is paid to the secondary prevention of domestic violence (DV), little has been focused on primary prevention. We present the description and evaluation of an education program for prenatal patients aimed at primary prevention of DV. Women were enrolled at the 1st prenatal visit if <30 weeks gestation and screened negative for physical abuse. The education consisted of four twenty minute sessions at subsequent visits. Topics included definition and statistics, victim behaviors, how to get help and community resources. Evaluation included a pre-test and post-tests at completion and at 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum. Final enrollment was 282 women (150 controls and 132 intervention) and 143 women took all tests and could be analyzed by repeated measures analysis. The education resulted in a 28% increase in knowledge by post-test-1 and this difference was maintained through 6 months postpartum (p<0.001; effect size 0.201). Knowledge scores were significantly increased in all three topical subsets. Modest but significant improvements in self esteem and attitude toward DV was also observed. No changes occurred in locus of control or Woman's Experience with Battering scores. This study demonstrates that women's knowledge about DV can be significantly improved through a simple patient education program. While this study did not measure the subsequent incidence of violence, the increased knowledge empowers women to make better decisions about current and future relationships, utilize community resources, and share this knowledge with other women, all of which could serve to directly or indirectly reduce domestic violence in the community.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to: 1. List the components of an effective prenatal patient education program on domestic violence. 2. Recognize that a prental patient education program can increase knowledge about domestic violence and potentially impact DV in a community. 3. Implement a prenatal patient DV education program in their institution.
Keywords: Domestic Violence, Pregnancy
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.