Cent Eur J Nurs Midw 2018, 9(2):840-847 | DOI: 10.15452/CEJNM.2018.09.0013

The effectiveness of a gender equality course in changing undergraduate midwifery students' attitudes towards domestic violence and gender roles

Emel Bahadir Yilmaz
Department of Midwifery, Health Sciences Faculty, Giresun University, Piraziz, Giresun, Turkey

Aim: The aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a gender equality course in changing undergraduate midwifery students' attitudes towards domestic violence and gender roles.

Design: A one-group before-after quasi-experimental design was used.

Methods: First-year undergraduate midwifery students (n = 64) were pre- tested and post- tested for their attitude to domestic violence and gender roles using "The Attitudes Towards Domestic Violence Scale", and "The Gender Roles Attitudes Scale". Data were collected from a health science faculty in Giresun, Turkey. The pre- and post-test results were compared using a paired samples t-test.

Results: While the mean score of the attitudes towards domestic violence was 55.23 ± 5.84 before the gender equality course, it increased to 57.71 ± 5.07 after the course. The increase in scores was statistically significant (p < 0.001). For attitudes to gender roles, the mean total score increased from 154.65 ± 14.16 to 164.72 ± 13.65 after the course (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The gender equality course helped students develop more positive attitudes towards domestic violence and gender roles. We achieved the aim of the study. We recommend that gender equality courses be integrated into the midwifery curriculum.

Keywords: domestic violence, gender equality, gender roles, midwifery students

Received: September 18, 2017; Accepted: March 17, 2018; Published: September 30, 2018  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago Chicago Notes IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Yilmaz EB. The effectiveness of a gender equality course in changing undergraduate midwifery students' attitudes towards domestic violence and gender roles. Central European Journal of Nursing and Midwifery. 2018;9(2):840-847. doi: 10.15452/CEJNM.2018.09.0013.
Share...
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Open full article

    References

    1. Adana F, Arslantaş H, Ergin F, Biçer N, Kiranşal N, Şahin S. Views of male university students about social gender roles; an example from east of Turkey. Journal of Family Violence. 2011;26(7):519-526. Go to original source...
    2. Atiş F, Alan S. Attitudes of 1st and 4th year midwifery/nursing students' regarding gender roles, presented for the Msc., Turkey. University of Cukurova; 2010. (in Turkish)
    3. Bacchus L, Mezey G, Bewley S, Haworth A. Prevalence of domestic violence when midwives routinely enquire in pregnancy. BJOG: an International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2004;111(5):441-445. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    4. Baird KM, Saito AS, Eustace J, Creedy DK. Effectiveness of training to promote routine enquiry for domestic violence by midwives and nurses: a pre-post evaluation study. Women Birth. 2017 doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2017.10.014. [Epub ahead of print] Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    5. Beccaria G, Beccaria L, Dawson R, Gorman D, Harris JA, Hossain D. Nursing student's perceptions and understanding of intimate partner violence. Nurse Education Today. 2013;33(8):907-911. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    6. Ben Natan M, Khater M, Ighbariyea R, Herbet H. Readiness of nursing students to screen women for domestic violence. Nurse Education Today. 2016;44:98-102. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    7. Berman S, Barlow KA, Koziol-McLain J. Family violence prevention education programme for midwives: an Auckland evaluation. New Zealand College of Midwives. 2005;32:21- 26.
    8. Bradbury-Jones C, Broadhurst K. Are we failing to prepare nursing and midwifery students to deal with domestic abuse? Findings from a qualitative study. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 2015;71(9):2062-2072. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    9. Coleman JU, Stith SM. Nursing students' attitudes toward victims of domestic violence as predicted by selected individual and relationship variables. Journal of Family Violence. 1997;12(2):113-138. Go to original source...
    10. Crombie N, Hooker L, Reisenhofer S. Nurse and midwifery education and intimate partner violence: a scoping review. Journal of Clinical Nursing. 2017;26(15-16):2100-2125. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    11. Dökmen Z. Toplumsal Cinsiyet: Sosyal Psikolojik Açiklamalar. Istanbul: Remzi Kitabevi; 2016. (in Turkish)
    12. Ecevit Y, Ecevit M, Ayata A, Gölgelioğlu Ö, Göğüş-Tan M, Kurdoğlu A, et al. Toplumsal cinsiyet sosyolojisine başlangiç. In: Ecevit Y, Kalkiner N, editors. Toplumsal cinsiyet sosyolojisi. 1st ed. Eskişehir: Anadolu Üniversitesi Web Ofset; 2011. p. 2-29. (in Turkish)
    13. Finnbogadóttir H, Dykes AK. Midwives' awareness and experiences regarding domestic violence among pregnant women in southern Sweden. Midwifery. 2012;28(2):181-189. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    14. Gender roles equality. Ankara, Turkey: Prime Ministry Directorate General on the Status of Women; 2008b [cited 2016 Sep 15]. Available from: http://kadininstatusu.aile.gov.tr/data/542a8e0b369dc31550b3ac30/Toplumsal%20Cinsiyet%20Esitligi.pdf
    15. Health services struggling with violence against women. Ankara, Turkey: Prime Ministry Directorate General on the Status of Women; 2008a [cited 2016 Sep 15]. Available from: http://kadininstatusu.aile.gov.tr/data/542a8e0b369dc31550b3ac30/02%20kyais%20mucadelede%20saglik%20hizmetleri.pdf
    16. Hindin PK. Intimate partner violence screening practices of certified nurse-midwives. Journal of Midwifery & Womenʼs Health. 2006;51(3):216-221. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    17. Integrating gender into the curricula for health professionals. Ankara, Turkey: World Health Organization; 2006 [cited 2016 Sep 2]. Available from: http://www.who.int/gender/documents/GWH_curricula_web2.pdf
    18. International Confederation of Midwives. Midwives and violence against women and children. Hague, Netherlands; 2014 [cited 2016 Sep 9]. Available from: https://www.nurse.or.jp/nursing/international/icm/basic/statement/pdf/Midwives_and_Violence_against_Women_and_Children_en.pdf
    19. Jayatilleke AC, Yoshikawa K, Yasuoka J, Poudel KC, Fernando N, Jayatilleke AU, Jimba M. Training Sri Lankan public health midwives on intimate partner violence: a preand post- intervention study. BMC Public Health. 2015;15:331. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    20. Kanbay Y, Işik E, Yavuzaslan M, Keleş S. Determination of the opinions and attitudes of nursing students about domestic violence against women. Gümüşhane University Journal of Health Sciences. 2012;1:107-119. (in Turkish)
    21. Kaplan S, Akalin A, Pinar G, Yilmazer T. Attitudes of nursing students toward domestic violence against women and professional roles in domestic violence. Yildirim Beyazid Universitesi Sağlik Bilimleri Fakültesi Hemşirelik E-Dergisi. 2014;2:26-35. (in Turkish)
    22. Karabulutlu Ö. Experiences and attitudes of nursing students regarding domestic violence against women. Cumhuriyet Hem Der. 2015;4:27-34. (in Turkish)
    23. Kaynar-Tunçel E, Dündar C, Peşken Ş. Evaluation of the knowledge and attitudes of nursing and midwifery students regarding domestic violence. Genel Tip Dergisi. 2007;17:105-110. (in Turkish)
    24. Kömürcü N, Yildiz H, Toker E, Karaman ÖE, Genç-Koyucu R, Durmaz A, Aydin N. Attitudes of nursing and midwifery students about gender roles and the perceptions of honor related to women. JACSD. 2016;5:1-22. (in Turkish) Go to original source...
    25. Lauti M, Miller D. Midwives' and obstetricians' perceptions of their role in the identification and management of family violence. New Zealand College of Midwives Journal. 2008;38:12-15.
    26. Lazenbatt A, Taylor J, Cree L. A healthy settings framework: an evaluation and comparison of midwives' responses to addressing domestic violence. Midwifery. 2009;25(6):622- 636. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    27. Majumdar B. Medical and nursing students' knowledge and attitudes toward violence against women in India. Education for Health: Change in Training & Practice. 2004;17(3):354- 364. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    28. Marchant S, Davidson LL, Garcia J, Parsons JE. Addressing domestic violence through maternity services: policy and practice. Midwifery. 2001;17(3):164-170. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    29. Mauri EM, Nespoli A, Persico G, Zobbi VF. Domestic violence during pregnancy: midwives' experiences. Midwifery. 2015;31(5):498-504. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    30. McCosker-Howard HM, Kain VJ, Anderson DJ, Webster J. The impact on midwives of undertaking screening for domestic violence - focus group findings. Birth Issues. 2005;14(2):49-56.
    31. McLachlan HL, Forster DA, Collins R, Gunn J, Hegarty K. Identifying and supporting women with psychosocial issues during the postnatal period: evaluating an educational intervention for midwives using a before-and-after survey. Midwifery. 2011;27(5):723-730. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    32. Mezey G, Bacchus L, Haworth A, Bewley S. Midwives' perceptions and experiences of routine enquiry for domestic violence. BJOG: an International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2003;110(8):744-752. Go to original source...
    33. Pitter CP. Midwives' knowledge and attitudes when encountering Gender-Based Violence in their practice at a maternity-hospital in Kingston, Jamaica. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being. 2016;11:29358. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    34. Protheroe L, Green J, Spiby H. An interview study of the impact of domestic violence training on midwives. Midwifery. 2004;20(1):94-103. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    35. Ritchie M, Nelson K, Wills R, Jones L. Does training and documentation improve emergency department assessments of domestic violence victims? Journal of Family Violence. 2013;28(5):471-477. Go to original source...
    36. Stenson K, Sidenvall B, Heimer G. Midwives' experiences of routine antenatal questioning relating to men's violence against women. Midwifery. 2005;21(4):311-321. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    37. Şahin N, Dişsiz M. Development study of attitudes towards domestic violence scale in healthcare workers. Uluslararasi İnsan Bilimleri Dergisi. 2009;6:263-274. (in Turkish)
    38. Tufan-Kocak B, Türkkan NÜ, Seren AKH. Relationship between the level of self-esteem and attitudes towards domestic violence of nursing students. Journal of Health and Nursing Management. 2014;2(1):81-88. (in Turkish) Go to original source...
    39. Understanding and addressing violence against women. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2012 [cited 2016 Sep 9]. Available from: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/77433/1/WHO_RHR_12.35_eng.pdf
    40. Violence prevention the evidence: promoting gender equality to prevent violence against women. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2009 [cited 2016 Sep 2]. Available from: http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/violence/gender.pdf
    41. Zeyneloğlu S, Terzioğlu F. Development and psychometric properties gender roles attitude scale. Hacettepe University Journal of Education. 2011;40:409-420.

    This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0), which permits non-comercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original publication is properly cited. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.


    Return to the content