IPV Routine Enquiry in Antenatal Care: Perspectives of Women and Healthcare Professionals—A Qualitative Study

Collette Kirwan; Pauline Meskell; Linda Biesty; Maura Dowling; Anne Kirwan

doi:10.1177/10778012241231784

IPV Routine Enquiry in Antenatal Care: Perspectives of Women and Healthcare Professionals—A Qualitative Study

Collette Kirwan
, Pauline Meskell
, Linda Biesty
, Maura Dowling
, Anne Kirwan

University of Galway
Dublin City University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Despite one in three women experiencing abuse by an intimate partner in their lifetime, intimate partner violence (IPV) is under-reported. Globally, IPV routine enquiry is used as part of healthcare response to addressing IPV. This paper presents the views of pregnant women (n = 40) and providers (n = 30) of IPV routine enquiry as part of antenatal care policy in Ireland. Respondents supported IPV routine enquiry as part of usual antenatal care, and while immediate disclosure was recognized as important, it was not a primary expectation. Routine enquiry was seen as a woman’s right and a providers’ duty to provide holistic, empowered, women centered and safe care and where provision of information and education on IPV is as fundamental as the disclosure of abuse.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	841-869
Number of pages	29
Journal	Violence Against Women
Volume	31
Issue number	3-4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/10778012241231784
Publication status	Published - Mar 2025
Externally published	Yes

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
SDG 5 Gender Equality
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Keywords

antenatal care
intimate partner violence
qualitative primary study
routine enquiry
screening for domestic violence

Access to Document

10.1177/10778012241231784

Cite this

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title = "IPV Routine Enquiry in Antenatal Care: Perspectives of Women and Healthcare Professionals—A Qualitative Study",

abstract = "Despite one in three women experiencing abuse by an intimate partner in their lifetime, intimate partner violence (IPV) is under-reported. Globally, IPV routine enquiry is used as part of healthcare response to addressing IPV. This paper presents the views of pregnant women (n = 40) and providers (n = 30) of IPV routine enquiry as part of antenatal care policy in Ireland. Respondents supported IPV routine enquiry as part of usual antenatal care, and while immediate disclosure was recognized as important, it was not a primary expectation. Routine enquiry was seen as a woman{\textquoteright}s right and a providers{\textquoteright} duty to provide holistic, empowered, women centered and safe care and where provision of information and education on IPV is as fundamental as the disclosure of abuse.",

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AU - Kirwan, Collette

AU - Meskell, Pauline

AU - Biesty, Linda

AU - Dowling, Maura

AU - Kirwan, Anne

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2024.

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AB - Despite one in three women experiencing abuse by an intimate partner in their lifetime, intimate partner violence (IPV) is under-reported. Globally, IPV routine enquiry is used as part of healthcare response to addressing IPV. This paper presents the views of pregnant women (n = 40) and providers (n = 30) of IPV routine enquiry as part of antenatal care policy in Ireland. Respondents supported IPV routine enquiry as part of usual antenatal care, and while immediate disclosure was recognized as important, it was not a primary expectation. Routine enquiry was seen as a woman’s right and a providers’ duty to provide holistic, empowered, women centered and safe care and where provision of information and education on IPV is as fundamental as the disclosure of abuse.

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KW - intimate partner violence

KW - qualitative primary study

KW - routine enquiry

KW - screening for domestic violence

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DO - 10.1177/10778012241231784

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ER -

IPV Routine Enquiry in Antenatal Care: Perspectives of Women and Healthcare Professionals—A Qualitative Study

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

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