A cross-cultural comparative study of nursing, dental and medical students' knowledge, education and attitudes toward domestic violence and abuse in Northern Ireland and Jordan

Although international surveys of prevalence and the growing body of literature on domestic violence have highlighted the need for data on cross-cultural attitudes towards violence against women, there are few studies in Northern Ireland [NIl and Jordan examining health care professionals' knowledge and attitudes towards domestic violence. The purpose of this study was to examine the cross-cultural differences in knowledge, attitudes, and current training and educational experiences towards violence against women, amongst third-year undergraduate nursing, dental, and . medical students in NI and Jordan, in order to develop recommendations for a culturally-sensitive and integrated educational programme for both cultures. A convenience sample of 774 male and female undergraduate students were administered a validated questionnaire that measured their knowledge, attitudes and current training and education on violence against women. Results indicated that student health care professionals' attitudes towards violence against women differed significantly between males and females, and across cultures. Variations in gender differences across cultures indicated that, for attitudes towards physical and sexual violence, students in Jordan, and male students in both cultures, were more likely than their counterparts to hold negative attitudes toward violence against women that are: justifying violence and abuse under certain circumstances; blaming women for violence against them; and supporting rape myths. The results also revealed significant gender and cultural differences in definitions of domestic violence. Participants in Jordan and female students in both cultures had clearer and broader definitions of domestic. Finally, while there were little differences across cultures in attitudes towards the role of health care professionals in screening for domestic violence, there were significant gender differences indicated that male students in both cultures were more likely than female students to perceive barriers to screening for domestic violence. With regards to educational specialty, nursing students were more likely to hold positive attitudes towards violence against women. The results are analysed in light of an ecological framework and the patriarchal ideology that specifically typifies Arab culture, and which predominates in Jordanian society The research findings suggest several potential directions for change, emphasizing the importance of establishing a systematic evidence-based multi-disciplinary and inter-agency approa'ch to teaching and learning for student health care professionals on the topic of domestic violence in their undergraduate programmes. Learning in this way will enable them to respond sensitively and effectively to victims of domestic violence across professional boundaries in a meaningful way.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo