‘It is a difficult topic’ – a qualitative study of midwives´ experiences with routine antenatal enquiry for intimate partner violence
Abstract Background Intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy may jeopardize maternal and fetal health (IJFWM 49:159-164, 2004; IJGO 133:269-276, 2016). In recognition of the significant public health impact of IPV, the Norwegian Directorate of Health issued new guidelines in 2014, which reco...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2017-06-01
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| Series: | BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12884-017-1352-2 |
| _version_ | 1829135365324144640 |
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| author | L. Henriksen L.M Garnweidner-Holme K.K Thorsteinsen M. Lukasse |
| author_facet | L. Henriksen L.M Garnweidner-Holme K.K Thorsteinsen M. Lukasse |
| author_sort | L. Henriksen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy may jeopardize maternal and fetal health (IJFWM 49:159-164, 2004; IJGO 133:269-276, 2016). In recognition of the significant public health impact of IPV, the Norwegian Directorate of Health issued new guidelines in 2014, which recommend that health professionals routinely ask all women in antenatal care about their exposure to violence. The objective of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of midwives’ experiences with routine enquiry for intimate partner violence during the antenatal period. Methods The study had a qualitative design. Individual semi-structured interviews with eight midwives providing antenatal care at eight Mother and Child Health Centres (MCHC) in Norway were conducted. Graneheim and Lundmans method of content analysis inspired the analysis. Results Three main themes emerged: Midwives do ask about violence; It can be a challenge; and Factors that make it easier to ask. All midwives enquired, but not on a regular basis, about violence. The midwives’ personal interest in the topic was an important factor that made it easier for them to ask about violence. Lack of time, fear of not knowing how to deal with a positive answer and lack of organizational support were barriers to asking pregnant women about their experiences of violence. Conclusion Midwives were aware of the guidelines and made some efforts to implement them. However, further education and organisational support is needed to enable midwives to routinely ask all pregnant women about IVP. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T18:23:08Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-45e09d0fa8314f0bb214590934a20045 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2393 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T18:23:08Z |
| publishDate | 2017-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth |
| spelling | doaj.art-45e09d0fa8314f0bb214590934a200452022-12-21T22:52:01ZengBMCBMC Pregnancy and Childbirth1471-23932017-06-011711910.1186/s12884-017-1352-2‘It is a difficult topic’ – a qualitative study of midwives´ experiences with routine antenatal enquiry for intimate partner violenceL. Henriksen0L.M Garnweidner-Holme1K.K Thorsteinsen2M. Lukasse3Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Oslo and Akershus, University College of Applied SciencesFaculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Oslo and Akershus, University College of Applied SciencesFaculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Oslo and Akershus, University College of Applied SciencesFaculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Oslo and Akershus, University College of Applied SciencesAbstract Background Intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy may jeopardize maternal and fetal health (IJFWM 49:159-164, 2004; IJGO 133:269-276, 2016). In recognition of the significant public health impact of IPV, the Norwegian Directorate of Health issued new guidelines in 2014, which recommend that health professionals routinely ask all women in antenatal care about their exposure to violence. The objective of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of midwives’ experiences with routine enquiry for intimate partner violence during the antenatal period. Methods The study had a qualitative design. Individual semi-structured interviews with eight midwives providing antenatal care at eight Mother and Child Health Centres (MCHC) in Norway were conducted. Graneheim and Lundmans method of content analysis inspired the analysis. Results Three main themes emerged: Midwives do ask about violence; It can be a challenge; and Factors that make it easier to ask. All midwives enquired, but not on a regular basis, about violence. The midwives’ personal interest in the topic was an important factor that made it easier for them to ask about violence. Lack of time, fear of not knowing how to deal with a positive answer and lack of organizational support were barriers to asking pregnant women about their experiences of violence. Conclusion Midwives were aware of the guidelines and made some efforts to implement them. However, further education and organisational support is needed to enable midwives to routinely ask all pregnant women about IVP.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12884-017-1352-2Intimate partner violenceAntenatal careRoutine enquiryMidwifery care |
| spellingShingle | L. Henriksen L.M Garnweidner-Holme K.K Thorsteinsen M. Lukasse ‘It is a difficult topic’ – a qualitative study of midwives´ experiences with routine antenatal enquiry for intimate partner violence BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth Intimate partner violence Antenatal care Routine enquiry Midwifery care |
| title | ‘It is a difficult topic’ – a qualitative study of midwives´ experiences with routine antenatal enquiry for intimate partner violence |
| title_full | ‘It is a difficult topic’ – a qualitative study of midwives´ experiences with routine antenatal enquiry for intimate partner violence |
| title_fullStr | ‘It is a difficult topic’ – a qualitative study of midwives´ experiences with routine antenatal enquiry for intimate partner violence |
| title_full_unstemmed | ‘It is a difficult topic’ – a qualitative study of midwives´ experiences with routine antenatal enquiry for intimate partner violence |
| title_short | ‘It is a difficult topic’ – a qualitative study of midwives´ experiences with routine antenatal enquiry for intimate partner violence |
| title_sort | it is a difficult topic a qualitative study of midwives´ experiences with routine antenatal enquiry for intimate partner violence |
| topic | Intimate partner violence Antenatal care Routine enquiry Midwifery care |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12884-017-1352-2 |
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