A review of studies about efficacy of public health interventions for prevention of domestic violence against women

We reviewed the public health interventions for preventing domestic violence in women and assessed efficacy of these interventions. We searched articles in PubMed, Scopus databases, and related systematic reviews in Cochrane database by the means of related key words: domestic violence, intimate partner violence, partner abuse, spouse abuse, battered women, and sexual abuse. Also, references list and papers of experts were searched. By reviewing, analyzing, and classifying the related interventions, we assessed their efficacy. The results were analyzed from 15 articles and 2 systematic reviews in which the impact of public health intervention for prevention or decreasing domestic violence in women had been studied. There are two types of interventions to help women experiencing or have experienced domestic violence: system-centered intervention (such as empowering staff to identify and manage the domestic violence cases), and women-centered intervention (such as education and psychological and therapeutic counseling for women). Findings showed that these interventions are effective for prevention or decreasing domestic violence cases. This study showed that educating and empowering public health staff increased the rates of identifying and managing domestic violence cases. We also found that education about predisposing factors of domestic violence and communicational and adaptive skills to women led to decreasing in domestic violence cases.