Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in Jordan: Perspectives of Emergency Healthcare Professionals Across Multihospitals
Background Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a worldwide public health issue with severe consequences for victims. The COVID‐19 lockdowns exacerbated IPV prevalence, heightening the need for effective healthcare response. In helping victims, healthcare professionals (HCPs) have a crucial role because they are often the first to see affected victims. Purpose This study assessed HCPs’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding IPV among Jordanian women emergency departments across two large government hospitals during the COVID‐19 lockdown. Method A descriptive cross‐sectional study was conducted between December 2021 and July 2022 among 453 emergency HCPs from two government hospitals in Jordan. Data were collected using validated tools, including the Knowledge and Attitudes toward IPV Scale and the Perception of IPV Scale, in addition to a demographic questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS, applying descriptive statistics, t ‐tests, ANOVA, chi‐square, Pearson correlations, and multiple regression. Results Overall, 51.7% of participants had good IPV knowledge, with nurses scoring significantly higher than others ( p < 0.001). Attitudes were generally positive (74.6%), and most participants recognized IPV as a serious concern (90.1%) and expressed strong demand for training (92.3%). Perceptions were favorable overall, though item‐level gaps persisted, particularly in recognizing psychological and neglect‐related IPV. Conclusion This study highlights that HCPs generally demonstrate positive perceptions toward assisting victims of IPV, yet important gaps in knowledge and attitudes remain. These findings emphasize the need for structured, evidence‐based educational interventions and supportive organizational policies to strengthen HCPs’ preparedness and confidence in responding to IPV. By addressing these gaps, healthcare systems can enhance their role in early identification, support, and referral of victims, ultimately improving health outcomes and advancing equity in care.
Authors
- Mohammad A. Abu Sabra (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9467-6954)
- Mohammad M. Alnaeem (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9142-7437)
Institutions
- University of Jordan (JO)
- Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan (JO)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nursing Forum
- Published
- 2025-01-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1155/nuf/6622700
- Primary Topic
- Intimate Partner and Family Violence
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00