Women’s Intention to Consent to Universal Screening for Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) at Well Baby Clinics

The Israeli Ministry of Health requires medical and nursing staff in both hospitals and community settings, screen all women for Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). This study explored factors associated with the intention of Israeli women to consent to universal IPV screening during their visits to well baby clinics, using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Two hundred Jewish women of childbearing age completed a questionnaire based on the TPB. Only 52% of the women reported that they had undergone IPV screening conducted by nurses at well baby clinics in the last year. The TPB was found to predict 44% of the variance in women’s intention to consent to universal IPV screening, whereas control beliefs, perceived behavioral control, and normative beliefs with regard to universal screening, were found to be the most significant predictors. These findings may help design interventions aimed at raising women’s intentions to consent to universal IPV screening.