TITLE:
Readiness to Screen for Domestic Violence against Women in Healthcare Uganda: Associations with Demographic, Professional and Work Environmental Factors
AUTHORS:
Stephen Lawoko, Emmanuel Ochola, Geoffrey Oloya, Joyce Piloya, Muhamadi Lubega, Winnie Lawoko-Olwe, David Guwatudde
KEYWORDS:
Screening; Domestic Violence; Women; Healthcare; Uganda; Determinants
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Preventive Medicine,
Vol.4 No.4,
April
3,
2014
ABSTRACT: Aim: We assessed demographic, professional and
work environmental determinants of readiness to screen for Intimate Partner
Violence among healthcare practitioners in healthcare Uganda. Methods: The
Domestic Violence Healthcare Provider Survey Scale and the Demand-Control-Support
questionnaire was administered to a random sample of 376 health care providers
(n = 279 valid responses) from Gulu, Anaka, Lacor and Iganga hospital situated
in northern and eastern Uganda. Correlation tests,
t-tests, ANOVA and Multiple Linear regression were used to analyse the data. Results: Male
care providers were more likely than female peers to blame the victim for the
occurrence of Intimate Partner Violence in a relationship. Participants from
Lacorhospital graded a lower self-efficacy and a poorer support network with
regard to screening for Intimate partner violence, and a higher propensity to
blame the victim when contrasted with other hospitals. Doctors experienced a
lower self-efficacy with regard to IPV screening than other professions.
Blaming the victim for abuse was associated with a high work load and low
support at work. In addition, with increasing work control and support,
participants’ appraisal of system support and self-efficacy increased. Conclusion: Gender, profession, facility of work, work demand, control
and support are important determinants of the readiness to screen for IPV in
healthcare Uganda, and should inform strategy for the introduction and
implementation of routine IPV inquiry in healthcare Uganda.