Factors Influencing the Implementation of Intimate Partner Violence Screening by Perinatal Obstetric Healthcare Providers in China: A Social-Ecological Perspective.

Introduction

This study explores obstetric providers' perceptions of intimate partner violence (IPV) screening in the Chinese clinical setting, guided by the social-ecological model.

Methods

Purposive sampling was employed to recruit eight obstetricians and 12 obstetric nurses from a tertiary general hospital in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted between December 2024 and September 2025.

Results

Guided by the social-ecological model, this study examines factors influencing healthcare professionals' engagement in intimate partner violence screening across four levels. A multilevel framework was distilled; four key themes were identified, including the intrapersonal level, interpersonal level, institutional level and community and policy level. (1) The intrapersonal level-healthcare professionals' competence (knowledge base, communication skills, role identity, screening attitudes, and diagnostic ability); (2) the interpersonal level-interdisciplinary collaboration (internal referrals and external support); (3) the institutional level-hospital screening efficacy (screening resources and management systems); and (4) the community and policy level-social environment (policy support, educational resources, and cultural context).

Conclusions

Multilevel factors impact IPV screening in China. These results indicate that a multidimensional model of intervention should be designed to promote IPV screening in China, including integrating IPV curricula into mandatory medical student training, enhancing interdisciplinary collaboration, conducting public education on IPV, implementing socio-cultural adjustments, challenging authoritative attitudes, and providing comprehensive social support.