Knowledge, Attitudes and Preparedness of Healthcare Professionals Regarding Gender-Based Violence at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Pakistan

Abstract

Background: All over the world, gender-based violence (GBV) is a serious health and human rights problem. Survivors often reach out to health care workers first, but health care workers' insufficient knowledge, negative attitude, and lack of preparedness may negatively affect the identification and management of GBV cases.

Objective: To assess the level of knowledge, attitudes, and preparedness of healthcare professionals regarding gender-based violence and to determine the association between training and these domains.

Methods: The study was descriptive and cross-sectional. The study was conducted at Services Hospital, Lahore between the time period of June and December 2021. The study participants included a total of 300 health care professionals, which included house officers, postgraduate residents, consultants, and staff nurses. Data collection was done through a self-administered structured questionnaire which was used to assess knowledge, attitudes, and preparedness regarding GBV. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 25. The chi square test was used and statistically significant results were considered to be p≤ 0.05.

Results: Of the total study participants, 32.3% were said to have sufficient knowledge in gender-based violence, 24.0% were said to have a good attitude, and 15.7% were said to have sufficient preparedness. Health care professionals who underwent GBV related training exhibited a greater knowledge, attitude, and preparedness compared to those who did not undergo training (p<0.001).

Conclusion: The healthcare professionals’ knowledge, attitudes, and readiness regarding gender-based violence, were less than satisfactory. The healthcare response to gender-based violence in Pakistan needs improvement, by developing and implementing pre-service and in-service training programs, and national guidelines.