Screening for Intimate Partner Violence against Women in Healthcare Sweden: Prevalence and Determinants

We assessed the extent to which healthcare providers at a large healthcare facility in Sweden screen for intimate partner violence against women and the determinants of such screening. Data on frequency of screening, readiness to screen on many dimensions (using the Domestic Violence Healthcare Provider Survey Scale), demographic and occupational characteristics were administered electronically to 217 healthcare providers. We found that only 50% of participants had during the past 3 month screened for IPV at least once, and screening activity was marked with inequalities in measured individual characteristics. Participants of female gender and of doctor/nurse occupation were more likely to screen than male and midwife peers, respectively. Healthcare providers who perceived high efficacy in handling IPV issues, low fears of offending clients, professional preparedness, and with availability of support networks for IPV victims were more likely to screen for IPV. Implications of these findings for interventions are discussed.