Abstract
Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy is a significant public health issue and leads to severe consequences for both the mother and fetus, including risks of preterm birth, low birth weight, and maternal psychological distress such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and even maternal mortality. Despite its prevalence, comparable to conditions like gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, there is no global universal screening protocol for IPV.
Objectives: This presentation covers the findings and discussions on a scoping review with the content of (1) existing clinical guidelines and practices for IPV screening across different countries; (2) current screening methods and tools, and (3) universal screening implementation.
Results: Recommendations on universal screening vary across countries including US, UK, Australia and New Zealand. We highlighted challenges such as victim awareness, healthcare providers’ knowledge and training, and structural barriers in healthcare systems. Regarding the screening tools, we found there is a need for a valid and reliable screening tool, targeting pregnant women. Also, scientific evidence supporting the screening program, and integrating education, testing, clinical services, and program management are lacking. Apart from self-reporting, we explored potential biomarkers related to IPV, including inflammatory indicators, epigenetic and genetic influences, and various chemical compounds and proteins.
Conclusion: With the advancement of digital technology and various biomarkers identification, screening and detecting IPV in clinical settings can be conducted systemically. A systems-level interventions with academia-community-industrial partnerships can help connect pregnant women to desire support services to avoid adverse maternal and child health outcomes.
Notes
References:
1. Janet Yuen-Ha Wong, Shiben Zhu, Haixia Ma, Patrick Ip, Ko Ling Chan, Wing Cheong Leung (2024). Intimate partner violence during pregnancy: To screen or not to screen? Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 97,102541, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2024.102541.
2. Afiaz A, Biswas RK, Shamma R, Ananna N. Intimate partner violence (IPV) with miscarriages, stillbirths and abortions: identifying vulnerable households for women in Bangladesh. PLoS One 2020;15(7):e0236670. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0236670.
3. Guo C, Wan M, Wang Y, Wang P, Tousey-Pfarrer M, Liu H, et al. Associations between intimate partner violence and adverse birth outcomes during pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Med 2023;10:1140787. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2023.1140787.
4. Feltner C, Wallace I, Berkman N, Kistler CE, Middleton JC, Barclay C, et al. Screening for intimate partner violence, elder abuse, and abuse of vulnerable adults: evidence report and systematic review for the US preventive services task force. JAMA 2018;320(16):1688–701. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2018.13212.
5. Livings MS, Hsiao V, Withers M. Breaking the cycle of family violence: a critique of family violence interventions. Trauma Violence Abuse 2022;24(4):2544–59. https://doi.org/10.1177/15248380221098049.
Sigma Membership
Pi Iota at-Large
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Translational Research/Evidence-based Practice
Keywords:
Health Equity or Social Determinants of Health, Instrument and Tool Development, Public and Community Health, Intimate Partner Violence, IPV, IPV Screening
Recommended Citation
Wong, Janet and Ma, Haixia, "Universal Screening of Intimate Partner Violence During Pregnancy: A Scoping Review" (2025). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 165.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2025/presentations_2025/165
Conference Name
36th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Universal Screening of Intimate Partner Violence During Pregnancy: A Scoping Review
Seattle, Washington, USA
Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy is a significant public health issue and leads to severe consequences for both the mother and fetus, including risks of preterm birth, low birth weight, and maternal psychological distress such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and even maternal mortality. Despite its prevalence, comparable to conditions like gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, there is no global universal screening protocol for IPV.
Objectives: This presentation covers the findings and discussions on a scoping review with the content of (1) existing clinical guidelines and practices for IPV screening across different countries; (2) current screening methods and tools, and (3) universal screening implementation.
Results: Recommendations on universal screening vary across countries including US, UK, Australia and New Zealand. We highlighted challenges such as victim awareness, healthcare providers’ knowledge and training, and structural barriers in healthcare systems. Regarding the screening tools, we found there is a need for a valid and reliable screening tool, targeting pregnant women. Also, scientific evidence supporting the screening program, and integrating education, testing, clinical services, and program management are lacking. Apart from self-reporting, we explored potential biomarkers related to IPV, including inflammatory indicators, epigenetic and genetic influences, and various chemical compounds and proteins.
Conclusion: With the advancement of digital technology and various biomarkers identification, screening and detecting IPV in clinical settings can be conducted systemically. A systems-level interventions with academia-community-industrial partnerships can help connect pregnant women to desire support services to avoid adverse maternal and child health outcomes.
Description
Despite its prevalence of IPV during pregnancy, there is no global universal screening protocol for IPV. The presentation reviews existing clinical guidelines and practices for IPV screening and its implementation. There is a need for a valid and reliable screening tool targeting pregnant women, supported by scientific evidence. Potential biomarkers related to IPV were also explored. Systems-level interventions involving academia, community, and industry partnerships are recommended.