RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Involving the Health Care System in Domestic Violence: What Women Want
JF The Annals of Family Medicine
JO Ann Fam Med
FD American Academy of Family Physicians
SP 213
OP 220
DO 10.1370/afm.1336
VO 10
IS 3
A1 Usta, Jinan
A1 Antoun, Jumana
A1 Ambuel, Bruce
A1 Khawaja, Marwan
YR 2012
UL http://www.annfammed.org/content/10/3/213.abstract
AB PURPOSE Domestic violence is prevalent among women using primary health care services in Lebanon and has a negative effect on their health, yet physicians are not inquiring about it. In this study, we explored the attitudes of these women regarding involving the health care system in domestic violence management. METHODS We undertook a qualitative focus group study. Health care professionals in 6 primary health care centers routinely screened women for domestic violence using the HITS (Hurt, Insult, Threaten, Scream) instrument. At each center, 12 women who were screened (regardless of the result) were recruited to participate in a focus group discussion. RESULTS Most of the 72 women encouraged involvement of the health care system in the management of domestic violence and considered it to be a “socially accepted way to break the silence.” Women expected health care professionals to have an “active conscience”; to be open minded, ready to listen, and unhurried; and to respect confidentiality. Additionally, they recommended mass media and community awareness campaigns focusing on family relationships to address domestic violence. CONCLUSIONS Addressing domestic violence through the health care system, if done properly, may be socially acceptable and nonoffensive even to women living in conservative societies such as Lebanon. The women in this study described characteristics of health professionals that would be conducive to screening and that could be extrapolated to the health care of immigrant Arab women.