Registered nurses’ experiences of caring for women in Jamaica who have been exposed to intimate partner violence : A qualitative study

Sammanfattning: Violence against women is an issue affecting women worldwide. Due to the high rates of women exposed to intimate partner violence, it is nearly impossible not to meet them in everyday nursing practice. Intimate partner violence is complex since it concerns physical violence as well as emotional, sexual, financial, and material aspects of abuse. Some women go to seek medical attention and herein lies the responsibility of the nurse to respond. Whilst many countries have handbooks or guidelines on how to support women exposed to intimate partner violence, nurses may encounter challenges in supporting these women in practice. This is particularly challenging in Jamaica, where there are reportedly high rates of intimate partner violence, but where various factors including limited resources and social and cultural norms, may limit the opportunities for nurses to support women exposed to intimate partner violence. Due to limited earlier research on the topic in Jamaica, there is a need for increased knowledge and understanding about how nurses in Kingston, Jamaica experienced the care they provide and how it affects them.