Evaluation of Knowledge and Management of Gender-Based Violence from the Perspective of Gynecologists and Postgraduates in Clinical Practice in Uruguay

Abstract

Introduction: Gender-based violence (GBV) is a serious health problem that accounts for alarming figures. Women victims of GBV come to health centers to be treated for this and other reasons, in many cases being this the first and only contact they have with the health system. The objective of this study is to find out the level of training, knowledge, actions, and perceptions regarding care by gynecologists and gynecology postgraduates in cases of gender-based violence seen during daily clinical practice in our setting.
Method: A descriptive observational study was conducted, with a cross-sectional design and convenience sample. A total of 143 professionals were surveyed, including gynecologists and gynecology postgraduates, between September 1st and September 30th, 2019.
Results: Nine out of ten professionals reported not asking or asking few questions about GBV in their clinical practice, and 80% were unclear about their role in detecting GBV victims, despite assisting an average of 20 to 60 women weekly.  One-third of respondents reported having less than an hour of academic training in GBV.
Conclusion: There is limited academic training in this area.  The study showed that understanding the professionals’ role in detecting GBV cases and their ability to respond appropriately to it are closely related to the ability to identify GBV in daily clinical practice.