Prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence Screening by Healthcare Providers and the Effectiveness Of Interventions to Increase Intimate Partner Violence Screening in the Healthcare Setting: A Literature Review

Introduction: Intimate partner violence affects 1.5 million women in the United States each year. Significant adverse health consequences are associated with the experience of intimate partner violence. Leading health professional L organizations recommend that healthcare providers ask all women about abuse by intimate partners. An understanding of the prevalence of current intimate partner violence screening practices and the effectiveness of screening interventions is necessary to inform and improve future screening protocols, practice guidelines, provider training, and screening practices. Methods: A review of existing studies examining the prevalence of screening of screening for intimate partner violence, and the effectiveness of screening I interventions was conducted. Studies were selected according to established criteria, and their methods and characteristics were summarized and compared for similar and dissimilar results. Results: Routine screening rates ranged from 5% to 70%. Screening rates for high risk and other selected patients ranged from 20-51%. Screening rates varied according to practice setting, healthcare provider characteristics, and the nature of the clinical encounter. Screening interventions increased provider assessment and identification of intimate partner violence as compared to pre-intervention rates. Post-intervention increases in referrals for services and distribution of intimate partner violence information were also reported. Conclusions: While the prevalence of intimate partner violence is high, few healthcare providers routinely ask all women about abuse in their lives. Protocols and procedure for screening for intimate partner violence that are implemented in healthcare organizations can lead to increased assessment, identification, and referrals for services.Master of Public Healt