[Cultural adaptation and translation of the Woman Abuse Screening Tool]. / Adaptación del instrumento WAST para la detección de violencia doméstica en Centros de Salud.

BACKGROUND: The Woman Abuse Screening Tool (WAST) is a screening tool for domestic violence used in Unites States. AIM: To carry out the cultural adaptation of the WAST instrument for early detection of domestic violence in primary health care. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Qualitative techniques for cultural adaptation were used in stages 1 and 2 and quantitative techniques were used in stage 3. The validity of content was assessed using judge tests carried out with experts in the field. Linguistic adaptation was carried out using a focal group technique to ensure semantic and language comprehension. Finally, the culturally adapted instrument was applied to 16 women who were victims of violence and to 28 women without a history of violence. RESULTS: For cultural adaptation, the judges' test added the item of economic violence to the instrument. According to the focus groups, some words were changed to facilitate understanding by the subjects. According to the scores obtained in women with and without a history of violence, a cut-off point of 15 points was defined to determine a history of domestic violence with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 96%. The Cronbach Alpha of the questionnaire was 91%. CONCLUSIONS: WAST is an effective and easily applied instrument for the early detection of domestic violence.

Adaptación del instrumento WAST para la detección de violencia doméstica en Centros de Salud / Cultural adaptation and translation of the Woman Abuse Screening Tool

Background: The Woman Abuse Screening Tool (WAST) is a screening tool for domestic violence used in Unites States. Aim: To carry out the cultural adaptation of the WAST instrument for early detection of domestic violence in primary health care. Material and Methods: Qualitative techniques for cultural adaptation were used in stages 1 and 2 and quantitative techniques were used in stage 3. The validity of content was assessed using judge tests carried out with experts in the field. Linguistic adaptation was carried out using a focal group technique to ensure semantic and language comprehension. Finally, the culturally adapted instrument was applied to 16 women who were victims of violence and to 28 women without a history of violence. Results: For cultural adaptation, the judges' test added the item of economic violence to the instrument. According to the focus groups, some words were changed to facilitate understanding by the subjects. According to the scores obtained in women with and without a history of violence, a cut-off point of 15 points was defined to determine a history of domestic violence with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 96%. The Cronbach Alpha of the questionnaire was 91%. Conclusions: WAST is an effective and easily applied instrument for the early detection of domestic violence.

Violencia hacia la mujer por su pareja. Centro de Salud Mental. Aguada de Pasajeros, 2014 / Violence toward woman from the part of her couple. Mental Health Center. Aguada de Pasajeros, 2014

Introducción: la violencia afecta a una de cada tres mujeres alguna vez en la vida. Cuando es producida por su pareja constituye un suceso destructor, generador de tensión, angustia y peligro para la vida. Objetivo: caracterizar la violencia hacia la mujer por su pareja en los casos asistidos en el Centro de Salud Mental de Aguada de Pasajeros, provincia de Cienfuegos, durante el año 2014. Materiales y métodos: se realizó una investigación descriptiva transversal, en 45 mujeres asistidas en el Centro de Salud Mental de Aguada de Pasajeros, provincia de Cienfuegos. Fueron utilizadas las técnicas de análisis documental, entrevistas, test de detección de tipos de violencia y de diagnóstico de violencia en la pareja. Resultados: predominaron las edades entre 26 y 35 años en un 46,6 %. En cuanto a nivel cultural el medio superior, con un 46,6 %. Se apreció un 66,6 %) de uniones consensuales. El 46,6 % ocupaban plazas técnicas. Estuvo presente la violencia física y psicológica en la totalidad de las féminas, la sexual en 15 mujeres y la económica en 38. La mayoría (23) estaban expuestas a un segundo grado de violencia. Prevalecieron sentimientos de culpa, temor a la soledad y relacionan la violencia con el consumo de bebidas alcohólicas. Conclusiones: se detectó en las mujeres estudiadas violencia psicológica, física, económica y sexual; de diferentes niveles, desde una relación violenta hasta una violencia peligrosa. Prevaleció el segundo nivel de violencia y creencias erróneas acerca de los roles de género de las mujeres maltratadas y de los hombres violentos (AU).

Introduction: violence affects one of every three women some time in her life. When it is caused by her couple it becomes a destructive fact, generating tension, anguish and danger for her life. Objective: to characterize violence toward women from the part of her couple in the cases attended at the Mental Health Center of Aguada de Pasajeros, province of Cienfuegos, during 2014. Materials and methods: a cross-sectional, descriptive research was carried out in 45 women attended at the Mental Health Center of Aguada de Pasajeros, province of Cienfuegos. The used techniques were documental analysis, interviews, tests for detecting the kind of violence, and tests for diagnosing violence in the couple. Results: ages between 26 and 35 years predominated for a 46,6 %. According to the scholarship, high school prevailed, with 46,6 %. A 66,6 % of consensual unions were found. 46,6 % of women worked as technicians. Physical and social violence was found in the total of women, the sexual one in 15 women, and the economic one in 38. Most of them (23) were exposed to a second degree of violence. The prevailing feelings were guiltiness, solitude fear and a link of violence with alcohol consumption. Conclusions: sexual, economic, physical and psychological violence was found in the studied women, in different levels, from a violent relationship to a dangerous violence. The second level of violence and erroneous beliefs on the genre roles of the abused women and the violent men prevailed (AU).

Violencia hacia la mujer por su pareja. Centro de Salud Mental. Aguada de Pasajeros, 2014 / Violence toward woman from the part of her couple. Mental Health Center. Aguada de Pasajeros, 2014

Introducción: la violencia afecta a una de cada tres mujeres alguna vez en la vida. Cuando es producida por su pareja constituye un suceso destructor, generador de tensión, angustia y peligro para la vida. Objetivo: caracterizar la violencia hacia la mujer por su pareja en los casos asistidos en el Centro de Salud Mental de Aguada de Pasajeros, provincia de Cienfuegos, durante el año 2014. Materiales y métodos: se realizó una investigación descriptiva transversal, en 45 mujeres asistidas en el Centro de Salud Mental de Aguada de Pasajeros, provincia de Cienfuegos. Fueron utilizadas las técnicas de análisis documental, entrevistas, test de detección de tipos de violencia y de diagnóstico de violencia en la pareja. Resultados: predominaron las edades entre 26 y 35 años en un 46,6 %. En cuanto a nivel cultural el medio superior, con un 46,6 %. Se apreció un 66,6 %) de uniones consensuales. El 46,6 % ocupaban plazas técnicas. Estuvo presente la violencia física y psicológica en la totalidad de las féminas, la sexual en 15 mujeres y la económica en 38. La mayoría (23) estaban expuestas a un segundo grado de violencia. Prevalecieron sentimientos de culpa, temor a la soledad y relacionan la violencia con el consumo de bebidas alcohólicas. Conclusiones: se detectó en las mujeres estudiadas violencia psicológica, física, económica y sexual; de diferentes niveles, desde una relación violenta hasta una violencia peligrosa. Prevaleció el segundo nivel de violencia y creencias erróneas acerca de los roles de género de las mujeres maltratadas y de los hombres violentos (AU).

Introduction: violence affects one of every three women some time in her life. When it is caused by her couple it becomes a destructive fact, generating tension, anguish and danger for her life. Objective: to characterize violence toward women from the part of her couple in the cases attended at the Mental Health Center of Aguada de Pasajeros, province of Cienfuegos, during 2014. Materials and methods: a cross-sectional, descriptive research was carried out in 45 women attended at the Mental Health Center of Aguada de Pasajeros, province of Cienfuegos. The used techniques were documental analysis, interviews, tests for detecting the kind of violence, and tests for diagnosing violence in the couple. Results: ages between 26 and 35 years predominated for a 46,6 %. According to the scholarship, high school prevailed, with 46,6 %. A 66,6 % of consensual unions were found. 46,6 % of women worked as technicians. Physical and social violence was found in the total of women, the sexual one in 15 women, and the economic one in 38. Most of them (23) were exposed to a second degree of violence. The prevailing feelings were guiltiness, solitude fear and a link of violence with alcohol consumption. Conclusions: sexual, economic, physical and psychological violence was found in the studied women, in different levels, from a violent relationship to a dangerous violence. The second level of violence and erroneous beliefs on the genre roles of the abused women and the violent men prevailed (AU).

Propiedades psicométricas del manual para la valoración del riesgo de violencia contra la pareja (SARA) en agresores chilenos / Psychometric properties of the manual for the evaluation of the risk of violence against the couple (SARA) in Chilean aggressors

La finalidad de este estudio instrumental fue evaluar las propiedades psicométricas del Manual para la Valoración del Riesgo de Violencia contra la Pareja SARA (The Spousal Assault Risk Assessment) por medio de la adaptación y de la obtención de indicadores de validez concurrente y diagnóstica y de consistencia interna. La muestra estuvo conformada por 62 participantes, 32 agresores contra la pareja y 30 no agresores contra la pareja (muestra de contraste). Se administró el Manual SARA adaptado, junto al Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ-R) versión chilena y el Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) versión chilena. Los resultados sugieren buenos coeficientes de consistencia interna, validez concurrente y validez diagnóstica. Se discuten las implicancias de los hallazgos.

The purpose of this instrumental study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Spousal Assault Risk Assessment (SARA) through an adaptation process and evaluating concurrent and diagnostic validity and internal consistency. The participants were 62, 32 offenders against their couple and 30 non-offenders against their couple (comparison sample). The instruments were SARA adapted, the chilean version of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ-R) and the chilean version of the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI). The results suggest good reliability coefficients, concurrent validity and diagnostic accuracy. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Violência contra a mulher: caracterizando a vítima, a agressão e o autor / Violencia contra las mujeres: caracterizando la víctima, la agresión y el autor / Violence against women: featuring the victim, aggression and the author

Objective: Describing the profile of violence against women regarding aggression, the socio-demographic characteristics of the victim and the perpetrator of the violence. Method: a transversal study of quantitative approach and descriptive analysis. The population consisted of 42 women victims of violence. Results: of the total 42 participants, prevailed in women aged 30-39 years old, with complete high school and family income of 1-3 minimum wages. The physical, psychological and moral violence prevailed in 26.2% of cases. The main offenders were the companions of those women, the home environment is the space where most attacks occur and jealousy was appointed as the main factor to unleash aggression. The attackers, mostly present among the age group 40-49 years old, and have had studied until elementary school. Conclusion: it notes the challenge and the responsibility of health professionals in the recognition and registration of cases seen in health services...

Objetivo: Descrever o perfil da violência contra a mulher, no que se refere à agressão, às características sociodemográficas da vítima e do autor da violência. Método: estudo transversal, de abordagem quantitativa e análise descritiva. A população foi constituída por 42 mulheres vítimas de violência. Resultados: predomínio de mulheres na faixa etária de 30 a 39 anos, ensino médio completo e renda familiar de 1 a 3 salários mínimos. A violência física, psicológica e moral prevaleceu em 26,2% dos casos.Os principais agressores foram os companheiros e o ciúme foi apontado como principal fator de desencadeio para agressão. Os agressores, em sua maioria, apresentam-se entre a faixa etária de 40 a 49anos e cursaram até o ensino fundamental completo. Conclusão: nota-se o desafio e a responsabilidade dos profissionais de saúde no reconhecimento e no registro dos casos atendidos nos serviços de saúde...

Objetivo: Describir el perfil de la violencia contra mujeres, el tipo de agresión, las características sociodemográficas de la víctima y del autor de la violencia. Método: un estudio transversal, de enfoque cuantitativo y de análisis descriptivo. La población estudiada consistió en 42 mujeres víctimas de violencia. Resultados: predominaron mujeres entre 30 a 39 años, con secundaria completa e ingreso familiar entre 1 a 3 salarios mínimos. Prevaleció la agresión física, psicológica y moral en 26,2 %. Los principales agresores fueron los compañeros de las víctimas. La mayoría de los ataques ocurrió en casa y los celos fue el principal factor que desencadenó la agresión. Los agresores tenían entre 40 a 49 años de edad y habían completado hasta la educación primaria. Conclusión: Es un desafío y responsabilidad de los profesionales de salud saber reconocer y registrar casos de violencia contra mujeres atendidos en los servicios de salud...

Intimate partner violence: how you can help female survivors.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a prevalent, complex, and challenging women's health problem associated with a number of negative medical, reproductive, and mental health conditions. When clinicians bring up the topic with their patients, patients are more likely to disclose. Supportive counseling and referrals are associated with improved safety and health.

Propiedades psicométricas del index of spouse abuse en una muestra de varones españoles / Psychometric properties of the index of spouse abuse in a spanish male sample

El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar algunas propiedades psicométricas de la versión española del index of spouse abuse en una muestra de varones españoles, ya que no existen instrumentos validados en España en esta población. Participaron 598 varones con edades comprendidas entre 18 y 77 años (M = 40.20; DT = 13.71) seleccionados de la población general mediante muestreo incidental. Los resultados mostraron una estructura de 30 ítems agrupados en tres subescalas: abuso no físico, control de conductas y abuso físico. Los valores de fiabilidad oscilaron entre .60 y .81. Mostró buena validez convergente con las puntuaciones de la sexual assertiveness scale. Se encontró que las conductas de abuso más frecuentes son de abuso no físico y control de conductas, siendo el abuso físico menos frecuente. Se discuten los resultados obtenidos y sus implicaciones para la evaluación de la violencia de pareja en varones.

The aim of the present study was to analyze some psychometric properties of the index of spouse abuse in a spanish male sample, because there are no adapted instruments in Spain for this population. Participants were 598 males with ages ranging from 18 to 77 years old (M = 40.20; SD = 13.71), and they were selected from general population through a convenience sampling procedure. Results showed a structure made up of 30 items clustered into three subscales: nonphysical abuse, behavior controlling, and physical abuse. Reliability values ranged from .60 to .81. It showed good convergent validity with scores on the sexual assertiveness scale. Further, it was found that nonphysical abuse and behavior controlling were the most frequent form of abuse, while physical abuse was less frequent. Results and their implications for the assessment of partner abuse are discussed.

Características psicométricas del cuestionario de abuso en contra de la mujer, versión en español: su uso en investigación y práctica clínica / Psycometric characteristic of the women abuse screen, spanish versión: it uses in research and practice

Este artículo describe el proceso de traducción y adaptación del inglés-español del instrumento "Woman Abuse Screen" para uso en investigación. El cuestionario original fue traducido al español por dos traductores e intérpretes bilingües, y posteriormente se condujo una revisión de contenido por expertos asegurándose que incluía elementos relevantes del concepto "violencia". El instrumento traducido "Cuestionario de Abuso en contra de la Mujer" (CACM) fue puesto a prueba con 217 mujeres que iniciaron su control prenatal en clínicas en Monterrey, México. El análisis factorial exploratorio con rotación Varimax agrupó nueve reactivos en tres factores (violencia sexual, física y psicológica) con varianza explicada de 79.8 por ciento. El coeficiente de confiabilidad obtenido fue 0.86 (Alfa de Cronbach). Se concluye que CACM es un instrumento fácil de contestar y que entrega información sobre el tipo de violencia que está siendo víctima la mujer en el presente o el pasado. CACM puede ser utilizado en investigación y/o práctica clínica.

This paper describes the process of English-Spanish translation and adaptation of the "Woman Abuse Screen" for use in research. The original screen was initially translated into Spanish by two bilingual translators-interpreters, followed by a content review conducted by experts to ensure that the screen included relevant aspects of the conceptualization of violence. The Spanish translation "Cuestionario de Abuso en contra de la Mujer" (CACM) was tested with 217 pregnant women initiating prenatal care in outpatient clinics in Monterrey, Mexico. Exploratory factor analysis with Varimax rotation grouped the nine items on three factors (sexual, physical and psychological violence) with an explained variance of 79.8 percent. A reliability coefficient of 0.86 was obtained (Cronbach Alpha). It is concluded that CACM is easy to answer and provides information on previous and present violence experienced by the women. CACM may be utilized in practice and research for screening of interpersonal violence.

Intimate partner violence against women and healthcare in Australia: charting the scene.

Intimate partner violence against women is a common problem in all countries and generates a challenging agenda for the health sector. Exchanging experiences between different countries, specifically strategies to respond to this problem, can constitute a tool for stimulating debate and promoting reflection. The scope of this article is to present and reflect on aspects of the Australian health sector response to intimate partner violence, and chart the scenario that surrounds this issue. We draw on a range of methods, combining a literature review and a dialogue with different stakeholders and site visits. We describe historical, contemporary and conceptual aspects of healthcare responses to intimate partner violence in Australia. Further we present some of the strategies, public policies and innovative projects that have been developed in this field in Australia. Some of the strategies include: screening vs. case-finding; primary care approaches for dealing with all family members; respect for diversity; and new randomized trials aiming for sustainable health system change for enhanced health professional care of people experiencing intimate partner violence. Despite the limitations of this approach to such a complex theme, we hope to stimulate thinking and discussion.

Intimate partner violence against women and healthcare in Australia: charting the scene / Violência por parceiro(a) íntimo(a) contra mulheres e cuidado em saúde na Austrália: cartografando o cenário

Intimate partner violence against women is a common problem in all countries and generates a challenging agenda for the health sector. Exchanging experiences between different countries, specifically strategies to respond to this problem, can constitute a tool for stimulating debate and promoting reflection. The scope of this article is to present and reflect on aspects of the Australian health sector response to intimate partner violence, and chart the scenario that surrounds this issue. We draw on a range of methods, combining a literature review and a dialogue with different stakeholders and site visits. We describe historical, contemporary and conceptual aspects of healthcare responses to intimate partner violence in Australia. Further we present some of the strategies, public policies and innovative projects that have been developed in this field in Australia. Some of the strategies include: screening vs. case-finding; primary care approaches for dealing with all family members; respect for diversity; and new randomized trials aiming for sustainable health system change for enhanced health professional care of people experiencing intimate partner violence. Despite the limitations of this approach to such a complex theme, we hope to stimulate thinking and discussion.

A violência por parceiro íntimo contra mulheres é comum em todos os países, gerando desafiadora agenda para o setor saúde. A troca de experiências entre países, referente às estratégias de enfrentamento do problema, pode constituir-se em subsídio para fomentar debates e promover reflexões. Este artigo pretende apresentar e refletir sobre aspectos do contexto australiano no âmbito de respostas do setor saúde à violência por parceiro íntimo, cartografando o cenário que cerca essa questão. A metodologia foi desenhada combinando pesquisa bibliográfica, diálogo com diferentes atores e visitas in loco. Foram descritos aspectos históricos, contemporâneos e conceituais acerca das respostas da saúde a violência por parceiro íntimo na Austrália e apresentadas algumas estratégias, políticas públicas e projetos que vêm sendo desenvolvidos no país. Merecem relevo: rastreamento e busca ativa de casos de violência por parceiro íntimo; abordagem em atenção primária com todos os membros familiares; respeito às diversidades; ensaios randomizados envolvendo mudanças na formação dos profissionais e no sistema de saúde no que tange ao cuidado de mulheres vivenciando violência por parceiro íntimo. Apesar das limitações ao abordar tema tão complexo, espera-se estimular reflexões e discussões.

Provider barriers and facilitators to screening for intimate partner violence in Bogotá, Colombia.

We conducted interviews with 27 health care personnel in Bogotá, Colombia, to examine provider barriers and facilitators to screening for intimate partner violence (IPV). We used systematic qualitative analysis to identify the range and consistency of beliefs. We found that respondents did not routinely screen for IPV. Providers listed numerous barriers to screening. Ways to improve screening included increased clinician training, installing systematic IPV screening, providing patient education, and implementing health care setting interventions. Improving the care for IPV survivors will involve translating health care personnel preferred solutions into more systematic IPV screening interventions.

Violencia ejercida a la mujer en la relación de pareja. Policlínica Rolando Monterrey. Enero- Diciembre 2009. Moa / Exercised violence to the woman in the relation of couple. Policlinica Rolando Monterrey. January December 2009. Moa

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, utilizando un diseño no experimental transversal, sobre la violencia ejercida a la mujer en la relación de pareja, en el Policlínico Rolando Monterrey (Enero- Diciembre 2009) en un universo de 245 mujeres y una muestra de 70. Aplicamos una encuesta con el objetivo de caracterizar sociopsicológicamente a las víctimas; describir la edad, escolaridad, ocupación, tipo y tiempo de la relación de pareja, funcionamiento familiar, las formas de violencia más frecuentes y los factores que la perpetúan, así como valorar las habilidades para la solución de situaciones de conflictos, utilizando para ello estadígrafos descriptivos, y determinar las características personológicas de la muestra. Encontramos que el tipo de violencia más empleada fue la psicológica, la cual fue utilizada en mujeres entre 35-44 años de edad, con un nivel preuniversitario; donde las trabajadoras resultaron las más afectadas, repercutiendo el fenómeno sobre aquellas mujeres con unión consensual, que tenían más de 10 años de duración con su pareja, que convivían en contextos de familias disfuncionales; poseían escasas habilidades para la solución de problemas, y que perduran en la relación por la dependencia económica que mantienen y por su seguridad personal. La caracterización personológica reveló que fueron mujeres dispensarizadas como supuestamente sanas, la mayoría manifestó ansiedad como estado y depresión en niveles altos, sin embargo la ansiedad como rasgo es bajo; poseen una autovaloración inadecuada, y sus necesidades giran en torno a su seguridad, autorrealización y afecto o estima. Recomendamos la participación de todos los grupos sociales, para profundizar y promover líneas de investigación sobre tal problemática(AU)

A descriptive study came true, using a design not experimental side road, on the exercised violence to the woman in the relation of couple, in the Polclinica Rolando Monterrey (January December 2009) in a universe of 245 women and a sample of 70. We applied an opinion poll for the sake of characterizing sociopsicológic to the victims; Describing the age, scholarship, occupation, type and time of the relation of couple, familiar functioning, more frequent the forms of violence and the factors that perpetuate her, as well as appreciating the abilities for the solution of situations of conflicts, using for it descriptive estadigrafs, and determining characteristics personologics of the sample. We found out that the type of more used violence was her psychological one, which was used in women between 35-44 years elderly, with a pre-university level; where workers gave results them more affected, having influence the phenomenon on those women with consensual union, that they had more of 10 years of duration with their couple, that they lived together in contexts of dysfunctional families; They had scarce abilities for the solution of problems, and that they last in the relation for the cost-reducing dependence that they hold and for their personal safety. Characterization personologic revealed that controlled were womanly as supposedly you heal, the majority manifested anxiety like status and depression in tall levels, however anxiety as feature is softly; they have an unsuitable self-appraisal, and your needs revolve around their certainty, self-actualization and affection or esteem. We recommended the participation of all the social groups, in order to deepen and to promote fact-finding trajectories on such problems(AU)

Factors influencing disclosure of abuse by women of Mexican descent.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the factors that influence disclosure of abuse by women of Mexican descent. Few published studies describe the experiences of women of Mexican descent with a history of intimate partner abuse, specifically in terms of their process of disclosure of abuse. METHODS: A qualitative research design was used to conduct this study in south Texas adjacent to the United States-Mexico border. Twenty-six key informants were recruited from two different sites. An open-ended approach with a semistructured interview guide was used to collect the narrative information from the 26 participants. RESULTS: The findings illuminated that many factors hindered disclosure. Some of these factors included protecting their partners, avoidance of worrying their mothers, and fear of losing their children. CONCLUSIONS: The study may help healthcare providers to understand the complexity of disclosure by women with a history of intimate partner abuse and may help explain why women do not readily disclose their abusive situations. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study on the disclosure decision process of abuse by women of Mexican descent provides some understanding on the cultural or situational factors that hindered or encouraged disclosure; ultimately this knowledge can help healthcare providers and others to provide for the woman's health, welfare, and safety.

Health behavior in Mexican pregnant women with a history of violence.

This study examines the association between history of violence, attitudes toward pregnancy, and initiation of prenatal care (PNC). Pregnant women receiving their first PNC visit at a public prenatal clinic in Monterrey, Mexico, were enrolled in the study. Structured interviews collected information concerning demographics, reproductive history, current pregnancy, attitudes toward pregnancy, history of violence, and perceived barriers and benefits of PNC. Results showed that 35% of participants reported violence. A current or previous partner was the most common perpetrator. Of women experiencing abuse, 47% reported that abuse was ongoing during the current pregnancy. More women reporting violence were unmarried, did not live with a partner, and reported a lower monthly income. An experience of violence was associated with initiation of PNC, number of pregnancies, perception of barriers, and negative attitudes toward pregnancy. This issue should be emphasized in recognition of the important role that nurses and midwives have regarding violence.

Detecting intimate partner violence during pregnancy: awareness-raising indicators for use by primary healthcare professionals.

BACKGROUND: Given the deleterious consequences of intimate partner violence (IPV) for gestation, it is important to promote a more effective and amicable approach that engenders greater receptiveness, stimulates more open communication and, ultimately, facilitates addressing the problem. In this regard, active primary care professionals need to be educated about the different profiles of violence found in domestic environments. The aim of this study is to make the identification of those subgroups of pregnant women most likely to be living in IPV situations both practical and simple. Its ultimate goal is to give healthcare professionals who work directly with the public the tools to anticipate such events. To this end, this study presents a profile of IPV during pregnancy according to different characteristics observed among primary health service users. METHODS: Five hundred and twenty-seven women who carried children to term in Rio de Janeiro were interviewed. A Portuguese version of the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS2) was used to detect IPV. Several sociodemographic factors, life habits and reproductive health characteristics of pregnant women and their partners were scrutinized. Prevalence projections by subgroup were obtained using a multinomial logit model. RESULTS: The projected prevalences for negotiation, psychological violence, minor physical violence and severe physical violence were, respectively, 0.1% [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.0-0.6], 2.6% (95%CI 0.7-6.9), 7.0% (95%CI 1.7-18.5) and 90.3% (95%CI 77.2-96.8) for the extreme scenario, i.e. women <20 years of age, non-White, living in house with inadequate garbage disposal, previous history of abortion, reporting fear of someone, reporting lack of affective social support, and reporting drug use by woman or spouse. In the absence of these characteristics, the projected prevalences were 51.3% (95%CI 38.5-64.6), 40.0% (95%CI 28.5-51.9), 7.6% (95%CI 4.2-12.7) and 1.1% (95%CI 0.3-2.4), respectively. CONCLUSION: This study found that knowledge of certain characteristics of pregnant women who attend health services can alert professionals to the high probability of IPV, facilitating early identification of the problem and subsequent implementation of proactive measures.

[Violence against women and family medicine]. / Violencia contra la mujer y medicina familiar.

BACKGROUND: prevalence of violence against women in Mexico fluctuate within 30 to 60%, but health and court administration institutions' numbers are under real ones, they only include extreme violence or pressed charges against them aggressor. OBJECTIVE: To asses the level of knowledge on the norms and procedures for the attention of domestic violence in family practitioners workers of the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social in Colima, México. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted during the September-December 2005 period. The indicator was obtained of a self-administered questionnaire. The data collection instrument was design to asses the level of knowledge in five areas: definition, norms, classification, risk factors and domestic violence indicators. An knowledge index was constructed and analyzed using frequencies distribution and percentages. RESULTS: The age average was 41 years; medical practice 20 years. 72% men, 28% women; 91% had sentimental couple; 53% was family medicine specialist and 2% mastery; 53% worked in the morning shift and 47% in the evening one. The 91% didn't know the Mexican official norm; 91% without training on domestic violence, 74% ignored the types that exist; 76% ignored the cycles; 63% didn't register it as diagnostic in the clinical file; 52% know that the integral attention health registration leaf has a specific item for this problem. The average of guessed right answers was of 19 (range 15-24). CONCLUSIONS: The level of knowledge on the norms and procedures for the attention of domestic violence in family practitioners workers of the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social in Colima, México; was low degree in 0%, moderate in 81% and highly in 19%.

Assessing the physical violence component of the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales when used in heterosexual couples: An item response theory analysis.

Although there are psychometric evaluations of the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS2) when applied to heterosexual relationships, none has used item response theory (IRT). To address this gap, the present paper assesses the instrument's physical violence subscale. The CTS2 was applied to 764 women who also responded for their partners. Single dimensionality assumption was corroborated. A 2-parameter logistic IRT model was used for estimating location and discriminating power of each item. Differential item functioning and item information pattern along the violence continuum were assessed. Gender differences were detected in 3 out of 12 items. Item coverage of the latent trait spectrum indicated little information at the lower ends, while plenty in the middle and upper ranges. Still, depending on gender, some item overlaps and regions with gaps could be detected. Despite some unresolved problems, the analysis shows that the items form a theoretically coherent information set across the continuum. Provided the user is aware of possible drawbacks, using the physical violence subscale of the CTS2 in heterosexual couples is still a sensible option.

Reliability of translated measures assessing dating violence among Mexican adolescents.

Research on the prevalence and correlates of dating violence in Mexican teens is challenged by the lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate assessment tools. This study modified, translated, and back-translated the Conflict in Adolescent Dating Relationships Inventory (CADRI; Wolfe et al., 2001) and the Attitudes Towards Dating Violence Scales (Price, Byers, & the Dating Violence Research Team, 1999) for Mexican adolescents. Analyses on 307 adolescents (15-18 years old) from Monterrey and Mexicali, Mexico, revealed that most of the translated CADRI subscales and Attitudes Towards Dating Violence Scales had acceptable internal consistency and test-retest reliability coefficients. The study offers some evidence that the measures may be useful in assessing dating violence in Mexican teens.