Evaluating Violence Against Women Screening in Mexico

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The overall goal of this proposed study is to develop the state of knowledge in the area of gender-based violence and reproductive health by conducting a randomized controlled trial to improve the health care provider's capacity to screen for intimate partner violence and to mitigate associated risk among women health clinic patrons of reproductive age (ages18-44) with recent experiences of physical or sexual partner violence in Mexico City and its surrounding area. The specific research objectives are as follows: To increase mid-level health care providers' capacity to identify Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and assist women with risk mitigation Utilizing a randomized controlled trial, to assess the impact of an enhanced health care worker screening and counselling program on (a) past year severe IPV (sexual or physical), including severe IPV; (b) reproductive coercion (c) use of community-based resources and safety planning; and (d) quality of life; versus minimum standard of care To qualitatively examine which programmatic components may serve as mechanisms for observed changes stated in the second objective To synthesize study findings and a) create recommendations for clinic-based intervention programs to address IPV in low and middle income countries and b) disseminate information as reports, presentation, and peer-reviewed publications

Official Title
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Evaluating Violence Against Women Screening in Mexico

Conditions
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Domestic Violence

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Integrated Screening


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Ages 18-44 Currently in heterosexual relationship with a male partner Responds in affirmative to past year sexual or physical violence Exclusion Criteria: Cognitive impairment (slurred speech, inability to follow directions) Seeking treatment for life threatening emergency care Intends to relocate within 2 years.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 44 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Screening
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| No Intervention: Referral Card Only<br>Women participants at control clinics will be given a referral card containing general information on IPV and a list of resources specific to their community | |
| Experimental: Integrated Screening<br>The intervention arm will consist of the following components (described in detail below): a) integrated IPV/Sexual and Reproductive Health Screening, b) supportive care, c) safety planning and harm reduction counseling, d) supported referrals, e) booster counseling sessions at 3 months post-baseline / initial counseling | Behavioral: Integrated Screening<br>* The intervention arm will consist of the following components (described in detail below): a) integrated IPV/Sexual and Reproductive Health Screening, b) supportive care, c) safety planning and harm reduction counseling, d) supported referrals, e) booster counseling sessions<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Intimate Partner Violence Victimization from Baseline | Participants will be followed up at 3 months and at 15 months post-baseline to assess intimate partner violence victimization as measured by an adapted Conflict Tactics Scale - 2. This will allow for a 12 month follow-up from the booster counseling session in the intervention group which occurs at 3 months post-baseline. | 12 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Quality of Life Score |  | past month | 
| Change in Use of Community Resources | Adapted Community Resources Checklist | 12 months | 
| Change in Safety Planning | Adapted Safety Behavior Checklist | 12 Months | 
| Change in Reproductive Coercion |  | 12 months |