The overall goal of this proposed study is to develop the state of knowledge in the area of gender-based violence and reproductive health by conducting a randomized controlled trial to improve the health care provider's capacity to screen for intimate partner violence and to mitigate associated risk among women health clinic patrons of reproductive age (ages18-44) with recent experiences of physical or sexual partner violence in Mexico City and its surrounding area.
The specific research objectives are as follows:
- To increase mid-level health care providers' capacity to identify Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and assist women with risk mitigation
- Utilizing a randomized controlled trial, to assess the impact of an enhanced health care worker screening and counselling program on (a) past year severe IPV (sexual or physical), including severe IPV; (b) reproductive coercion (c) use of community-based resources and safety planning; and (d) quality of life; versus minimum standard of care
- To qualitatively examine which programmatic components may serve as mechanisms for observed changes stated in the second objective
- To synthesize study findings and a) create recommendations for clinic-based intervention programs to address IPV in low and middle income countries and b) disseminate information as reports, presentation, and peer-reviewed publications