Healthcare Providers' Readiness to Screen for Intimate Partner Violence in Obstetrics and Gynecology Units in Amhara Regional State Referral Hospitals, Ethiopia: Validation and cross-sectional survey using the DVHCPSS Tool

Kidist Ayalew Abebe^1*Tirusew Nigussie Kebede¹Birhan Tsegaw Taye¹Mulualem Silesh¹Mesfin Tadese¹Moges Sisay Chekole¹Tesfanesh Lemma¹Betel Bogale Workineh²Abayneh akililu³Bayew Kelkay Rade³Getie Lake Aynalem³

• ¹Debre Berhan University, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia
• ²Wollega University, Nekemte, Oromia Region, Ethiopia
• ³University of Gondar, Gondar, Amhara, Ethiopia

Introduction: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is most prevalent among women of reproductive age. It has lifelong consequences. Screening is one of the promising initial steps towards addressing this problem in healthcare settings, and healthcare providers are the basis of this response. Lack of healthcare provider readiness to screen for intimate partner violence makes the victims suffer further physical, psychological, sexual, and reproductive health problems. This study aimed to assess healthcare providers’ readiness and factors affecting screening for intimate partner violence in OBY/GYN units in Amhara regional state referral hospitals, Ethiopia.Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 9 to February 4, 2023. A simple random sampling technique was employed to select study participants. A pilot study was conducted to assess the reliability and construct validity of the tool, and data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The data were entered into EPI DATA version 4.6 and analyzed using STATA version 14. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models were applied to identify associated factors.Result: From 409 study participants, 46.5% (95% CI: 42, 51) were ready to screen for IPV among reproductive-aged women. Being male (AOR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.03, 2.61), trained on IPV (AOR = 2.84, 95% CI: 1.64, 4.94), favorable attitude towards IPV screening (AOR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.42, 3.44), good knowledge on IPV (AOR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.42, 3.50), and availability of IPV guidelines in their working area (AOR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.07, 2.81) were found to be significantly associated factors with healthcare providers’ readiness to screen for IPV.Conclusion: In this study, healthcare providers’ readiness to screen for IPV was found to be less than half. Training provisions on IPV, improving healthcare providers’ attitudes towards IPV screening, and knowledge aspects about IPV, along with making IPV screening guidelines accessible in their working environment, have a great influence on their readiness to screen for IPV.