3. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - All submissions
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Item Evaluation of the accuracy of a two-question screening tool in the detection of intimate partner violence in a primary healthcare setting in South Africa(2014) Saimen, AmashneeIntimate partner violence has been recognised as a global human rights violation. It is universally under-diagnosed and the institution of timeous multi-faceted interventions has been noted to benefit intimate partner violence victims. Currently the concept of using a screening tool to detect intimate partner violence has not been widely explored in a primary healthcare setting in South Africa, and for this reason the current study was undertaken. The objectives of this study were: 1) to determine the operating characteristics of a two-question screening tool for intimate partner violence (Women Abuse Screening Tool-short); and 2) to estimate the prevalence of intimate partner violence among women attending an Out Patient Department, using a validated questionnaire (Women Abuse Screening Tool). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted prospectively at the Out Patient Department of a Level 1 Hospital, with systematic sampling of I in 8 women over a period of 3 months. Participants were asked about their experience of intimate partner violence during the past 12 months. The Women Abuse Screening Tool-short, a two-question tool, was used to screen patients for intimate partner violence. To verify the result ofthe screening, women were also asked the remaining questions from the full Women Abuse Screening Tool. Results: Data were collected from 400 participants, with a response rate of99.3%. Based on the results for the Women Abuse Screening Tool, the prevalence of intimate partner violence in the sample was 32%. The Women Abuse Screening Tool-short was shown to have the following operating characteristics: sensitivity 45.2% and specificity 98%. Conclusion: With its high prevalence, intimate partner violence is a health problem of note at this facility. The Women Abuse Screening Tool-short lacks sufficient sensitivity and therefore is not an ideal screening tool for this primary care ambulatory setting. The low sensitivity can be attributed to the participants' understanding of the screening questions, which utilize Eurocentric and nuanced definitions of intimate partner violence. Improvement in the sensitivity of the Women Abuse Screening Tool-short in this setting may be achieved by lowering the threshold for a positive result for intimate partner violence screening, and modification of the screening questions to better reflect intimate partner violence as understood by the local population.Item An audit of injuries resulting from interpersonal violence at the Leratong Provincial Hospital, in 2009(2012-01-17) Saimen, AmashneeInterpersonal violence is a global health issue, the impact of which filters through every facet of society. Studies have shown that more than 1.6 million people die annually across the world as a result of violence; injured survivors may suffer from a range of physical, sexual, reproductive and mental health problems.3 The aim of this study is to describe the trends and profile of violence-related injuries originating in a South African community, with regard to the hospital records of an urban emergency department and crisis centre. Materials and Methods: A retrospective, descriptive study was conducted by reviewing patient files at Leratong Provincial Hospital. Relevant clinical information such as victim’s age and gender; time, date and day of hospital attendance; nature of injury; presence/absence of alcohol; and nature of weapon (if any) was extracted. Each patient record was given a unique study number and patient confidentiality was maintained at all times. The extracted information was recorded on a data sheet and analysed statistically. Results: Leratong Hospital sees a large number of patients with injuries due to interpersonal violence throughout the year, with an increase in May, November and December. Higher numbers of patients present in the last week of the month, and as found in other studies Saturday and Sundays experience the most hospital attendances due to interpersonal violence. Victims were predominantly male (64%), except in the case of sexual assault where the victims were all (100%) female; females also suffered more blunt injuries than penetrating injuries. Blunt injuries were the most frequent type of injury in the overall sample, although over the weekend males sustained more penetrating injuries than blunt injuries. Young males were noted to be the main victims of interpersonal violence, and possibly also the main perpetrators. Conclusion: This study highlights the trends in interpersonal violence injuries seen at Leratong Provincial Hospital. Young adults, especially males, are noted to be significantly affected by interpersonal violence.