Can a Health Clinic-Based Intervention Increase Safety in Abused Women? Results from a Pilot Study

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) has been related to a number of adverse physical and mental health consequences. Research has identified relatively high IPV victimization rates among women seeking care in primary healthcare and emergency department settings. Studies have shown the potential usefulness of screening and intervention in these settings. Methods: This article reports results from a pilot study designed to assess the effect of a clinic-based intervention on women's engagement in safety-promoting behaviors. This study was conducted in a primary healthcare clinic for the uninsured in Baltimore, Maryland. Women who screened positive for recent IPV were randomly assigned to an intervention or control group. The intervention consisted of an on-site counseling session and six telephone counseling sessions over a 3-month period. Women in the control group received health information brochures, a list of community resources, and a monthly telephone call to confirm contact information. Results: A total of 41 women participated in the study. Results demonstrated that women who received the clinic-based intervention engaged in significantly more safety-promoting behaviors than did women in the control group. Conclusions: The results of this study and others indicate the potential usefulness of screening and intervention in a medical setting.