The Impact of Preventive Interventions on Intimate Partner Violence among Pregnant Women Resident in Hamadan City Slum Areas Using the PEN-3 Model: Control Randomized Trial Study

Abstract

Background: Intimate partner violence is a severe life-threatening criminal and public health problem affecting the well-being of individuals, families, and society. Planning interventions to reduce the burden of this persistent and criminal violence should be relevant culturally and socially.Methods: In this randomized control trial, 150 pregnant women residing in slum areas of Hamadan were randomly assigned to two groups (intervention group: n=50 and control group: n=100). Interventional strategies included educating the victims based on local cultural norms, culturally sensitive individual and group counseling, and educating health care providers. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews at baseline and again at 3 months after the intervention. We used a paired t-test to evaluate the effect of the intervention by comparing changes in the outcomes measured.Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups at baseline in terms of sociodemographic characteristics. Post-test scores of knowledge (7.50±2.65 vs. 5.14±3.51, P=0.001), communication skills (18.38±4.25 vs. 16.2±3.83, P=0.04), and family support and social expectation of obedience (15.79±4.45 vs. 13.40±4.57, P=0.005) of the victims were statistically significantly higher in the experimental group compared to the control group. Moreover, physical (0.74±2.28 vs. 1.20±2.60, P=0.06), psychological (2.80±4.10 vs. 4.52±5.43, P=0.06), and sexual (0.11±0.58 vs. 0.61±1.22, P=0.04) violence reduced in the experimental group compared to the control group.Conclusion: Culturally relevant interventions can reduce intimate partner violence.

Interventions for intimate partner violence during the perinatal period: A scoping review

“…Meanwhile, some included studies were conducted in African countries, including South Africa (Abrahams et al, 2022 ; Matseke & Peltzer, 2013 ), Nigeria (Akor et al, 2019 ), Ghana (Barrington et al, 2022 ), Togo (Briaux et al, 2020 ), Kenya (Haberland et al, 2020 ; Mutisya et al, 2018 ; Turan et al, 2013 ), and Uganda (Belaid et al, 2021 ; Nakku et al, 2021 ). Multiple studies were conducted in Asian and Middle Eastern countries, including Iran (Alizadeh et al, 2021 ; Babaheidarian et al, 2021 ; Dinmohammadi et al, 2021 ; Khalili et al, 2020 ; Rastegar et al, 2021 ; Taghizadeh et al, 2018 ), Nepal (Rishal et al, 2020 ; Sapkota et al, 2020 , 2022 ), Hong Kong (Tiwari et al, 2005 ), India (Arora et al, 2019 ), and Turkey (Bahadir‐Yilmaz & Öz, 2018 ). A total of 4 studies were conducted in European countries, including Norway (Flaathen et al, 2022 ; Walter et al, 2021 ), Belgium (Van Parys et al, 2017 ), and the Netherlands (Mejdoubi et al, 2013 ).…”

“…In many studies ( n = 12), participants in the control group received normal prenatal care (Akor et al, 2019 ; Alizadeh et al, 2021 ; Barlow et al, 2007 ; El‐Mohandes et al, 2008 ; Haberland et al, 2020 ; Katz et al, 2008 ; Khalili et al, 2020 ; Kiely et al, 2010 ; McIntosh et al, 2009 ; Rastegar et al, 2021 ; Subramanian et al, 2012 ; Taghizadeh et al, 2018 ). Additionally, in two studies, normal prenatal care included further follow‐up upon positive screening of IPV according to clinic standards (Miller et al, 2011 ; Taft et al, 2015 ).…”

“…However, many studies restricted their study population to only include women with certain sociodemographic factors. Sixteen studies included only women of low socioeconomic status or other associated factors (i.e., low education) (Barrington et al, 2022 ; Feder et al, 2018 ; Fergusson et al, 2005 , 2013 ; Jack et al, 2019 ; Katz et al, 2008 ; Mejdoubi et al, 2013 ; Olds et al, 2004 , 2007 , 2010 ; Peterman et al, 2022 ; Rastegar et al, 2021 ; Subramanian et al, 2012 ; Taft et al, 2015 ; Trabold et al, 2020 ; Zlotnick et al, 2011 ). Meanwhile, four studies restricted their study to women living in rural settings (Briaux et al, 2020 ; Laughon et al, 2011 ; Nakku et al, 2021 ; Turan et al, 2013 ), and two included only adolescents (Florsheim et al, 2011 ; Kan et al, 2021 ).…”

“…A total of 25 studies employed a multi‐type intervention. Fifteen studies evaluated an intervention combining counseling and education (Akor et al, 2019 ; Arora et al, 2019 ; Cripe et al, 2010 ; Curry et al, 2006 ; Dinmohammadi et al, 2021 ; Khalili et al, 2020 ; Kramer et al, 2012 ; Laughon et al, 2011 ; McFarlane et al, 2000 ; Miller et al, 2016 ; Mutisya et al, 2018 ; Rastegar et al, 2021 ; Rowe et al, 2014 ; Sapkota et al, 2022 ; Zlotnick et al, 2019 ). Seven interventions combined home visitation with education (Ammerman et al, 2022 ; Barlow et al, 2007 ; Feder et al, 2018 ; Jack et al, 2019 ; Jacobs et al, 2016 ; Mejdoubi et al, 2013 ; Sharps et al, 2016 ).…”

“…The majority of included interventions were conducted in community clinics ( n = 20) (Abrahams et al, 2022 ; Bacchus et al, 2010 ; Curry et al, 2006 ; El‐Mohandes et al, 2008 ; Flaathen et al, 2022 ; Katz et al, 2008 ; Khalili et al, 2020 ; Kiely et al, 2010 ; Laughon et al, 2011 ; Matseke & Peltzer, 2013 ; McFarlane et al, 2000 ; Miller et al, 2011 , 2016 ; Nakku et al, 2021 ; Rastegar et al, 2021 ; Subramanian et al, 2012 ; Taghizadeh et al, 2018 ; Trabold et al, 2020 ; Turan et al, 2013 ; Zlotnick et al, 2011 ). Meanwhile, 12 interventions were implemented in‐hospital (Akor et al, 2019 ; Arora et al, 2019 ; Babaheidarian et al, 2021 ; Cripe et al, 2010 ; Haberland et al, 2020 ; Mantler et al, 2022 ; Mutisya et al, 2018 ; Rishal et al, 2020 ; Sapkota et al, 2022 ; Tiwari et al, 2005 ; Van Parys et al, 2017 ; Zlotnick et al, 2019 ).…”