The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #48708

Judy C. Chang, MD, MPH¹, LeeAnn Ranieri, MSN, CNRP², Sarah H. Scholle, DrPH³, Patricia A. Cluss, PhD⁴, Lynn Hawker, PhD⁵, Raquel Buranosky⁶, and Melissa McNeil, MD, MPH⁶. (1) Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Womens Health, University of Pittsburgh, Division of Gynecology Specialties, 300 Halket Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3180, 412-641-1440, jchang@mail.magee.edu, (2) Magee-Womens Hospital, 300 Halket Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, (3) Departments of Psychiatry, Pediatrics and Health Services Administration, University of Pittsburgh, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, 3811 O'Hara Street, Suite 430, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, (4) Department of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic, 3811 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, (5) Counseling Services, Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, P.O. Box 9024, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, (6) Department of Internal Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, UPMC Montefiore, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Background: Little is known about specific services female victims would like from health care interventions for intimate partner violence. We sought to determine what services, information and resources female victims would want in health care interventions for intimate partner violence.

Methods: We conducted interviews with 21 women with either a past or current history of intimate partner violence. Participants were asked to perform a pile-sort by placing cards describing various interventions and resources into three categories--“Definitely yes,” “Maybe,” and “Definitely no”--indicating whether they would want that resource available in a primary care setting. They were then asked to explain their categorizations.

Results: Most respondents said that informational interventions would definitely be helpful: 81% reported that they definitely would want posters/flyers with hotline numbers in the waiting room; 71% wanted information regarding legal steps. Eighty-one percent of participants wanted counseling about safety strategies. And 71% wanted counseling on mental health and relationship issues. However, only 43% felt that couple’s counseling was a good idea with 33% reporting that it was “definitely not” useful. About half of the participants placed “getting help with drug or alcohol abuse” and “medical treatment for depression/anxiety” in the “definitely yes” pile. “Health provider reporting to police” and “Referral to shelter” had the lowest support with 32% and 28%, respectively.

Importance: Improved understanding of the specific needs and preferences of female victims will allow us to better design and tailor health care interventions for intimate partner violence.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this presentation, the participant will be able to
• describe the various services and resources female survivors would like from health care interventions for intimate partner violence and
• describe important issues to be considered in developing health care interventions for intimate partner violence.

Keywords: Domestic Violence, Interventions

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.