Assessment of Healthcare Professionals' Preparedness to Screen for and Manage Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence During the Perinatal Period

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as "any behavior within an intimate relationship (current or former partner) that causes physical, sexual, or psychological harm, including physical aggression, sexual coercion, psychological abuse, and controlling behaviors". IPV is common and can take multiple forms.

The frequency and consequences of IPV make it a major public health issue. Globally, it is estimated that one in three women who have been in an intimate relationship experiences or has experienced IPV. In France, in 2021, 1% of women reported having suffered physical and sexual violence, and 4.2% reported psychological violence by an intimate partner. IPV is often repetitive and occurs within relationships where multiple forms of violence coexist, including physical, psychological, and verbal abuse, as well as coercive acts restricting social, educational, health, employment, or financial access. The WHO estimates that women experiencing IPV lose between 1 and 4 years of life expectancy. Physical consequences range from trauma directly caused by violence to increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders, and mental health conditions. In France in 2023, 93 women were killed by their partner, 18 children died in the same context, and 773 women either committed or attempted suicide following harassment by a current or former partner. The economic cost of domestic violence in France is estimated in the billions of euros per year.

The perinatal period is particularly high-risk for IPV. Pregnancy has been described as a period of increased vulnerability to IPV. Beyond direct physical harm, IPV during pregnancy is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth. IPV in pregnancy is frequently associated with other severe and repeated forms of violence and represents a known risk factor for lethality. Children are also affected: exposure to IPV in the household is an aggravating factor, and minors who witness domestic violence are legally recognized as co-victims. IPV during pregnancy is also a risk factor for child physical abuse. In France, victims preferentially disclose experiences of violence to healthcare professionals, and screening by a healthcare professional significantly increases disclosure. Most women consider routine screening by their primary healthcare provider to be beneficial.

International and national initiatives have increasingly emphasized prevention and support for women experiencing violence. Over the past 20 years, there has been growing advocacy for legal, health, and social mobilization against discrimination and violence against women, including:

The UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women

The European Parliament Resolution on the elimination of violence against women (2009/2010)

The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence The 2019 French "Grenelle" initiative on domestic violence

Healthcare professionals in France have also increasingly been mobilized over the past decade. Key measures in hospital settings include:

Designation of violence referral officers in emergency departments (2015)

The 2017 IGAS report proposing a model for hospital-based care for women experiencing violence

Measures from the 2019 Grenelle initiative, including agreements for filing complaints within hospitals, collection of forensic evidence without prior complaints, and the development of dedicated care units.

In this context, AP-HP recently opened five hospital units dedicated to supporting women experiencing violence, with referrals largely dependent on healthcare professionals. The French National Authority for Health (HAS) recommends systematic screening for IPV, particularly during pregnancy. However, no studies have evaluated perinatal healthcare professionals' screening practices or preparedness to manage women experiencing IPV using a validated questionnaire. A single national survey conducted among midwives in 2014 reported that only 19% screened systematically for IPV.

While evidence on the benefit of universal screening is limited, a 2015 Cochrane meta-analysis found that routine screening by healthcare professionals is safe and increases disclosure during the perinatal period. International scientific societies also recommend systematic screening. Studies highlight the importance of recognizing women with indicators of potential IPV exposure and of being aware of referral networks for appropriate care.

The PREMIS questionnaire (Physician Readiness to Manage Intimate Partner Violence Survey) is the only scientifically validated tool internationally to assess healthcare professionals' preparedness to identify and manage IPV. Its French translation has recently been validated. This study will use PREMIS to evaluate perinatal healthcare professionals' practices and readiness to care for women experiencing IPV at AP-HP