How healthcare workers experience violence against women and how it influences the care : A qualitative study

Abstract: Violence against women (VAW) is a global problem existing in all cultures. This study is performed because there is a lack of knowledge about how healthcare personnel treat VAW to promote health and to alleviate suffering. The aim is to describe how healthcare workers experience violence against women and how it influences the care. Qualitative semi structured individual interviews were made with three nurses and one medical student in Egypt. The interviews were taped and transcribed before the text was analyzed by qualitative content analysis. The result showed that women were subordinated and discriminated in Egypt and in the healthcare. The care for the abused women was focused on first aid, and the respondents expressed that it was the woman’s own decision and responsibility to report or do any further actions. Often the violence was ignored or silenced. Violence and threats was accepted by the society and individuals as a mean for handling conflicts and was used in the healthcare settings as well. The respondents expressed a need for change and a wish for decreasing the violence, work for equality and stressed the importance of education in society. They also emphasised the need for women to gain more economic independence. Attitudes of healthcare workers need to be addressed and further investigation is necessary to prevent VAW.