ABSTRACT
1- INTRODUCTION
2- THE REVIEW/AIM
3- METHODS
4- RESULTS
5- DISCUSSION
6- CONCLUSION
REFERENCES
Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study was to explore previous literature related to nurses understanding of Intimate partner violence (IPV) or domestic violence and abuse (DVA) against women and to identify the gaps in nursing education so as to use the findings as a baseline to inform potential intervention strategies, curriculum development and outline implications for future nursing practice.
Introduction
Intimate partner violence (IPV) or domestic violence and abuse (DVA) (UK Home Office, 2013) refers to the victimization of an individual by an intimate companion (Usta, Antoun, Ambuel, & Khawaja, 2012). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “intimate partner violence and domestic violence” are used interchangeably, wherein, the latter term may also encompass other forms of family violence such as children and older people and is not confined to intimate partners (World Health Organization, 2012). IPV/DVA influences different domains of social life severely by deteriorating financial and social relationships with friends, families, children and victims. Females having experienced, emotional, sexual or physical violence may suffer a series of health related issues and often in silence. It is also acknowledged that IPV/DVA can also be experienced by men both in heterosexual and same-sex relationships as well as can be perpetrated by women too. However, DVA affects women more than men (Dardis, Dixon, Edwards, & Turchik, 2015). IPV/DVA experienced by women is documented extensively as a significant “public health issue”, both due to the acute mortality or morbidity associated with it, thereof, in long term, influences the health of women (Lewis-O’Connor & Chadwick, 2015). Nurses are often the first point of contact in healthcare services, who frequently encounter women suffering from IPV/DVA. However, in healthcare contexts, they may not be able to recognize or support women presenting with IPV/DVA (McGarry and Nairn, 2015). Nurses should essentially be equipped with the most contemporary knowledge and training to categorize concerns and manage different patients appropriately. Nurse’s practice warrants psychological and physical demands everyday as they get engaged in several tasks. Therefore, other than experience, a nurse needs to have a comprehensive skill set so that health care for women does not suffer (Ghayath, Al-Sagobi, Alansari, El-Shazly, & Kamel, 2010).