KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS TO SCREENING AND INTERVENTION OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE IN TAIF CITY, KSA

Introduction: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines intimate relationship abuse as physical violence, sexual violence, and psychological damage perpetrated by a current or former intimate partner. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Taif city, Saudi Arabia. The study aimed to assess knowledge and practice of IPV among Saudi primary healthcare physicians and investigate the factors affecting IPV screening and management. The Physician Readiness to Manage Intimate Partner Violence Survey (PREMIS) is a questionnaire distributed among the physicians. Results:  A total of 126 physicians were included; over half of them (55.6%) were males. The participants had a mean score of perceived preparation (2.8 ± 1.3), perceived knowledge of (2.6 ± 1.2), and actual knowledge of (17.8 ± 4.8). We demonstrated a significant association between age (P=0.006), years since graduation (P=0.005), the academic degree (P=0.000), and the average number of patients taken care of by the physicians (P=0.024) and the actual knowledge score. The average number of patients taken care of by the physicians and practitioners at the worksite who have participated in an IPV training course in the past 6 months are significantly associated with the practice score with (P=0.030) and (P=0.008), respectively. Conclusion: We found a lack of training on IPV among primary health care physicians in Saudi Arabia. In addition to poor perceived preparation, poor perceived knowledge, and poor actual knowledge about IPV among the participants. Older physicians were found to be more experienced and knowledgeable about IPV than the younger residents. Practicing skills were more positive with the increasing years of experience and the applied training programs.