Screening male primary care patients for intimate partner violence perpetration

BACKGROUND: Primary prevention of intimate partner violence (IPV) at the level of the primary care provider is unexplored. OBJECTIVE: We sought to identify whether men disclose current IPV perpetration when asked by a primary care provider. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive male patients of 6 providers in public health, university, and VA hospital clinics. MEASUREMENTS: Men were screened for IPV perpetration during routine visits, then given a Conflict Tactics Scale questionnaire (CTS2) to complete and mail back anonymously. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-eight men were screened; 46 (36%) returned CTS2 questionnaires. Twenty-three and 2 men disclosed past and current perpetration to providers, respectively. Providers assessed lethality/safety issues in 58% of those reporting a perpetration history (including both with current perpetration), responded with direct counseling to 63% (including both with current perpetration), and referred 17% for services related to the screening (including 1 with current perpetration). Nine and 26 men reported current, CTS2-assessed physical and psychological aggression of a partner, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Men appear to underreport current IPV perpetration in face-to-face primary care encounters when compared to other methods of reporting. Men may more readily report past IPV perpetration in face-to-face encounters.