Systematic Screening for Gender-Based Violence during Pregnancy. A Pressing Issue in Times of COVID-19

Abstract

Objective. To understand primary care midwives’ experience with the use of a validated survey for systematic screening for intimate partner violence during patient pregnancy and the usefulness of said screening. Method. A qualitative study with an interpretative phenomenological approach performed subsequently to systematic screening experiences had over four months. Focus groups of twelve midwives provided assistance in two primary care centres in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat (Barcelona, Spain). Results. The systematic use of the Index of Spousal Abuse survey with prior training on its use as well as on approaching cases of intimate partner violence enhance midwives’ knowledge levels, skills, and confidence in relation to detecting and approaching intimate partner violence situations during a pregnancy. Systematic screening concurrently increases rate at which cases of intimate partner violence are detected. Conclusions. Systematic screening for intimate partner violence must become an integral part of pregnancy monitoring.