The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #53736

Kelli Williamson, RN, MPH¹, Dean Coonrod, MD, MPH¹, Michelle Watkins, MS, ABD¹, Anu Partap, MD, MPH², Dena Salter, MBA¹, and Stephanie Orr, MC³. (1) Department of OB-GYN, Maricopa Integrated Health System/MedPro, 2601 East Roosevelt, Phoenix, AZ 85008, 602-344-5439, kelli.williamson@hcs.maricopa.gov, (2) Department of Pediatrics, Maricopa Integrated Health System/MedPro, 2601 East Roosevelt, Phoenix, AZ 85008, (3) Casa, 77 East Thomas Road, Suite 100, Phoenix, AZ 85012

Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to: 1. Recognize key components of an effective multidisciplinary model for domestic violence prevention. 2. Develop a set of evaluation tools that can be applied to a multidisciplinary domestic violence program.

Abstract Text: The Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Prevention and Early Intervention Project is a multidisciplinary program focusing on domestic violence prevention in Phoenix, Arizona. This model prevention and integration program, which is funded by a regional behavioral health agency, incorporates 3 collaborative agencies: Casa-Center for Prevention of Abuse and Violence; Maricopa Integrated Health System/MedPro; and the Maricopa County Department of Public Health.

The project targets a specific neighborhood within a low-income community of color and focuses on women and children who are at risk of experiencing inter-relationship violence. Key components of the program include: Training of healthcare professionals about domestic screening and referral procedures, screening patients for domestic violence in outpatient women’s and pediatric clinics, providing on-site prevention and early intervention services, follow-up research on pregnant victims, community health fairs, elementary school prevention programs, and a population-based program evaluation.

During the first year, training was provided to 140 healthcare professionals. A total of 1850 patients were screened. Ninety-two patients were referred for services. Health fairs were attended by 350 community members, and 275 students were instructed in the elementary schools.

The program evaluation focuses on all components of this program. A pre-post experimental design is used to measure changes in knowledge in the provider and youth education programs. A follow-up procedure tracks pregnant women with positive screens at intervals during pregnancy and post-delivery. Evaluations of the community health fairs are also conducted using a small cross-sectional survey questionnaire. A pregnancy risk assessment utilizes a population-based evaluation method.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to:
• Recognize the need for a comprehensive approach to domestic violence.
• Identify key stakeholders involved in a collaborative family violence program.

Keywords: Domestic Violence, Family Violence

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.