Physicians and nurses viewpoints regarding domestic violence

Physicians and nurses can play an important role in the detection of domestic Violence. This study examines their viewpoints regarding this problem. This study was done in Kerman and 584 physicians and nurses participated in this study. Questionnaire items were generated though a review of the literature descriptive statistics and chi-square test was used to examine the association between variables. Statistical significance was taken at the 5% level(p<0/05). Despite, low level of knowledge regarding risk factors, the respondents were agreed that screening is a professional duty. Profession and attitude had meaningful relation and in most cases nurses had more positive attitude toward misbehavior. The most education was in internists and gynecologist had the least. 30% of respondents worried about loss of their patients and had not comfortable for domestic violence screening. Health care worker education alone is in itself however a necessary but insufficient and training about domestic violence ideally this would be formally integrated in to the general medical or nursing curriculum.