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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Elizabeth Jane King, MPH, Health Behavior and Health Education, University of North Carolina, 301 Rosenau Hall, Campus Box No. 7440, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7440, 919-259-3441, ejking@email.unc.edu

Background: In Russia, each year 12,000-16,000 women are killed by their partners. 56% report physical violence from their husbands. While anecdotal evidence suggests that Russian health care providers are interested in addressing DV, information on their current role and potential contribution is extremely limited. Purpose: This study seeks to better understand health care providers' roles in confronting DV in Russia. It aims to examine how providers view their responsibility and capability to address DV and propose further research priorities. Methods: This formative research project was a qualitative study conducted in three Russian cities. Data were collected through a series of semi-structured interviews with three crisis center representatives, nine health care providers, and one psychologist. A focus group discussion with gynecologists was held. Data were coded according to themes from the interview guide and new themes from the interviews. Matrices were used to explore specific domains and descriptive interpretation of the coded data was performed. Results: Providers reported that DV is a problem in Russian society, much like other societies. Reported risk factors include: substance use, infidelity, societal collapse, democracy and individual freedom, and childhood socialization. Providers perceived their role in addressing DV as limited and that DV is a concern of other specialists. Providers were not trained to support women experiencing violence. Many were not aware of or did not rely on referral to NGO services. Conclusion: While health care providers recognize DV as a problem among patients, numerous perceived barriers exist to them adopting a role in its solution.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the importance of qualitative formative research
• Identify further research opportunities in research on violence in Russia or other
• Describe how health care professionals view domestic violence in Russiainternational settings

Keywords: Domestic Violence, International Health

Related Web page: www.irex.org/programs/iaro/research/05-06/index.asp

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered