Review of literature in the field of IT tools application in response violence against women and child
In this study, all relevant literature in the field of IT tools application in response violence against women and child were reviewed. Then a framework was designed based on information of first step as well as WHO and other organization guidelines. Tables 1 and 2 summarize the result of literature review.
Table 1: Summary of studies in the field of IT tools interventions in managing child abuse
Author
|
Setting
|
Purpose
|
Intervention
|
Method
|
Result
|
Dursun et al. (2021) (16)
|
Turkey
|
To develop tele psychiatry application to Health Care Workers and Their Children During COVID-19 Pandemics
|
A mobile application that developed by the Ministry of Health and available in mobile stores.
|
- Pre-post
- N: 1,076 (child & adult)
- Video calls contact & If necessary, face to face psychiatric evaluation
|
- High level of satisfaction among participant
|
Obikane et al. (2021) (29)
|
Japan
|
Prevent child abuse with improving postnatal depression by web-based program
|
internet-based behavioral activation (iBA) therapy
|
- RCT
- N= 390 Two
- Intervention group
- Duration: 12 weekly iBA sessions Follow up: 24 weeks
|
- Improved maternal postnatal depression
And child abuse prevention
|
Gülırmak et al. (2021) (30)
|
Turkey
|
Determine the effectiveness of web-based education for prevention of child abuse
|
Web-based distance education- Website
(http:// farkindaebeveynler.com)
|
- Quasi-experimental, randomized controlled
- N= 60 parents
- Duration: 6-week
|
- Effectiveness in awareness of emotional
abuse in the experimental group
|
Traube et al.(2020) (31)
|
USA
|
development of Parents as Teachers @ USC Telehealth
|
Home-based parenting programs via interactive video conferencing
|
- Experimental
- Duration: 5 month - 11 personal visits.
|
- Parent satisfaction of program
- High improve in parental supervision
|
Fogler et al. (2020) (32)
|
USA
|
Evaluating acceptability and feasibility of telepsychology to parent training with high quality
|
Telepsychology BC-ADHD
|
- Open Trial
- N=20
|
- Approved acceptability and feasibility of telepsychology to parent training with high quality.
|
Stewart et al. (2020) (33)
|
USA
|
Assessing feasibility and effectiveness of telepsychotherapy to deliver trauma-focused cognitive–behavioral therapy
(TF-CBT)
|
Telehealth
Outreach Program (TOP)
|
- Pre-post
- N=70
|
- Meaningful reduction in posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms
|
Luo et al. (2020) (34)
|
USA
|
Evaluation of the usability and acceptability of a mobile application
|
Mobile application called sexual as-sault care algorithm (SACA
|
Mixed methods
N=4 ( SANE)
|
- High usability and acceptability
- Effective in performing tasks and helping to make decisions
|
van Rosmalen-Nooijens et al. (2017) (35)
|
Netherlands
|
Assessing effectiveness and feasibility of the Internet-based self-support method "Feel the ViBe" (FtV)
|
Feel the ViBe (FtV) ( Internet-based self-support method)
|
- RCT
- Intervention group: access to FtV + usual care
- RCT
- N=40
- Data collection: at baseline and every 6 weeks until 24 weeks
|
- no significant change in impact of Event Scale
- Significant improvements in depression & anxiety
|
ADHD = Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
BC: Bootcamp
RCT: Randomized-Controlled Trial
SANE: Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners
|
Table 2: Summary of studies in the field of IT tools interventions in response violence against women
Author
|
Setting
|
Purpose
|
Intervention
|
Method
|
Result
|
The EDUCATE Investigators (36) (2018)
|
Canada & USA
|
Measuring impact of IPV educational program on participant readiness to manage IPV.
|
2-hour educational program including (1) an introductory video, (2) 3 online modules and (3) an in-person training session led by the local IPV champion(s)
|
- Pre–post
- N: 140 participants from 7 fracture clinics (6 fracture clinics in Canada and 1 in the United States)
- Data gathering: immediate and 3 months after intake
|
- Significant improvements on 10 subscales including actual knowledge, perceived preparation, perceived knowledge, practice issues, preparation, legal requirements, workplace issues, self-efficacy, alcohol/drug and victim understanding.
|
Walsh et al. (37) (2019)
|
USA
|
Assessing Patient Consent for Telehealth, Effectiveness of Technology and Types of Assistance Provided
|
Live sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) services via telehealth (teleSANEs) for adult
and adolescent patients
|
- Descriptive study
- N = 215
- Sites: six pilot sites
|
- High levels of consent
- Proper system effectiveness
- Positive impact of the assistance including
guiding clinicians through history taking and documentation, forensic examination and evidence collection techniques, identifying and documenting injuries, and guiding clinical practice.
|
Hegarty et al. (2019) (38)
|
Australia
|
Assessing effect of I-DECIDE in self-efficacy and depressive symptoms
|
Website: An online interactive healthy relationship tool and safety decision aid (I-DECIDE)
|
- RCT
- N: 422
- Intervention website modules: healthy relationships, abuse and safety, and relationship priority setting, and a tailored action plan
- Control website: static IPV information
- Length of follow-up: 6-month and 12-month
- Data gathering: at baseline, 6 and 12 months
|
- No meaningful differences between groups in self-efficacy and depressive symptoms
|
Sabri et al. (2019) (39)
|
USA
|
Assessing the effectiveness of intervention on safety, mental health and empowerment
|
Web-based safety decision aid/safety planning (myPlan): weWomen and ourCircle
|
- RCT
- N: 1,250
- Length of follow-up:1 year
- Data gathering: at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months
|
NA
|
Ford-Gilboe et al. (2017). (40)
|
Canada
|
Assessing effectiveness of iCAN in improving the health and safety for women experiencing IPV
|
iCAN Plan 4 Safety ( a tailored, online safety and health intervention)
|
- RCT
- N= 450
- Length of follow-up: 1 Y
|
- Effective in managing depression and PTSD symptoms
|
Steinmetz et al.(41)(2016)
|
USA
|
Providing individual therapy to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence in rural areas
|
Videoconference
|
- Pre-post
- Developed by The Wyoming Trauma Telehealth Treatment Clinic (WTTTC)
- Session number: six or more sessions took place weekly
- Trauma-focused therapy
- Duration: 60–90 min
- Measuring PTSD, depression, and satisfaction of sample in pretreatment and post treatment
|
- Meaningful decrease in PTSD symptoms
- Reduction in depressive symptoms
- high levels of satisfaction
|
Constantino et al. (2015) (42)
|
USA
|
Assessing the effectiveness of the HELPP among IPV survivors
|
Online HELPP (Health, Education on Safety, and Legal Support and Resources in IPV Participant Preferred)
|
- Pre-post
- N:34
- Duration: 6 weeks
- Text communication via email
|
- Decrease in anxiety, depression, anger
- And increase in personal and social support in intervention group
|
Stevens et al.(2015) (43)
|
USA
|
The effectiveness of Telephone Support Services (TTS) to prevent further intimate partner violence
|
12 phone calls with a total
duration of 360-720 min over 6 months
|
- RCT
- N= 253
- Intervention group (129) received telephone support services (TSS)
- Data gathering: at baseline, 3 and 6 months
|
- No significant difference between the control and intervention groups in IPV victimization, cohabitation with perpetrator, depressive symptoms and PTSD symptoms.
|
Saftlas et al.(2010)(44)
|
USA
|
Evaluating effectiveness of motivational interviewing (MI) self-efficacy, stage-of-readiness-to-change, and depressive
symptoms among women in abusive relationships
|
Telephone calls
|
- RCT
- N=204
-Intervention group: initial face-to-face session and three telephone sessions (1-, 2-, and 4-months post enrollment)
|
- Decrease in depressive symptoms decreased
- No significant difference between the control and intervention groups in Self-efficacy and stage-of-readiness-to-change increasing.
|
Tiwari et al. (45) (2012)
|
China
|
Measuring effectiveness of advocacy intervention for women experiencing IPV
|
telephone social support
|
- RCT
- N= 200
- Duration of telephone calls: 30 min
- Intervention group: 12 weekly telephone calls and 24-hour access to a hotline
- Data gathering: baseline, 3 months and at 9 months after intake
|
- Reduction in depression and psychological aggression, improvement in perceived social support and the use of safety-promoting behaviors
|
Tiwari et al. (2009) (46)
|
China
|
Measuring effectiveness of advocacy intervention for women experiencing IPV
|
telephone social support
|
- RCT
- N= 200
- Duration of telephone calls: between 15 and 20 minutes
- Intervention group: advocacy intervention and telephone social support at the beginning of the
intervention
- Data gathering: at baseline, 3 and 9 months after intake
|
- Positive change in quality of life and perceived social support
- No significant difference in reducing the depressive symptoms.
|
Koziol-McLain et al. (2018) (47)
|
New Zealand
|
Measuring effectiveness of a Web-based safety decision aid (isafe) for women experiencing IPV
|
Web-based safety decision aid (isafe)
|
- RCT
- N= 412
- 12-month follow-up
- Intervention group: website with safety priority setting, danger assessment and individualized feedback or tailored action plan
|
- Effective in reducing violence and depression symptoms in indigenous Māori women.
|
McFarlane et al. (2004) (48)
|
USA
|
Increasing safety-promoting behavior in abused woman
|
Telephone intervention
|
- Experimental study
- N= 150
-Intervention group: received the usual services and 6 telephone calls
- Data gathering: at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months
|
- Increasing safety-promoting behavior in intervention group
|
Thomas et al. (2005) (49)
|
USA
|
Assessing effectiveness of a telemedicine program
|
Telemedicine program (teleconference sessions)
|
- Semi-experimental study
- N: 38
- teleconference sessions with telephone and facsimile contact
- Number of session: 3 in the 4–6 weeks
|
- Good performance on screening, treatment and referral
|
IPV: Intimate Partner Violence
RCT: Randomized-Controlled Trial
TTS: Telephone Support Services
|
In the next stage 4 level of SEM was surveyed. In result four dimensions of violence against women and children and IT-based interventions were investigated. The four levels of individual, relationship, community and societal for woman & child was described. Then a comprehensive model in this field was presented.
Individual (Woman & Child) Level:
Individual level factors include age, level of education, history of alcohol use, history of violence and marriage at a younger age (50). Young age in marriage leads to increased exposure to violence due the husband is superior to the women (51). These risk factors had a greater impact during the Covid-19 pandemic (27). Web-Based safety decision was effective in reducing violence and depression symptoms (47). Long periods of Covid-19 quarantine have been associated with post-traumatic symptoms Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, anger and boredom (52). Online interventions at the individual level of violence against women and children increased during the Covid-19 era (53). Remote counseling provides fair access to psychological support for children (29).
Online interventions are one of the effective methods (54). Health care professionals need to be aware of all the demographic, psychological and psychological histories of the injured woman and children for supporting, especially during a pandemic (27). Clinical decision support systems for child abuse are effective in improving the decisions of practitioners and physicians (55). Integration of child abuse screening system with electronic health record in a large health care network can increase the possibility of recording reports of children exposed to violence (56).
Development of an interpersonal-violence registry system (IPVRS) is an effective approach to tackle violence. Recording, evaluating and monitoring risk factors, especially alcohol consumption, is very helpful in supporting vulnerable people and prioritizing policies. The geographical distribution of vulnerable people based on health habits and other risk factors can be identified using the registry. Social and economic indicators are also recorded and analyzed. Barriers to accessing care services can also be addressed through the registry system. International classification systems support the systematic recording of information in the registry system. The place and time of the violence occurred, manner and frequency of the violence can be traced through international classification systems. The number and type of services provided, the name and type of service provider and the specific outcome of the services provided can be monitored (57). ICD11 as international classification includes criteria for intimate partner violence, neglect and child abuse and neglect (58) and ICD-11 online interface to find and search the classification codes of disorders (58).
Covid-19 pandemic had a significant impact on child abuse and neglect (CAN)(59). Online education and gamification can be used for empowering of children and psychological support (60).
Relationship Level:
This level relates to a person's closest friends, partners and family, and marital family issues can affect them. The three dimensions of this level are: multiple partners, arranged or forced marriages relationship satisfaction and marital conflict. Communication skills training programs focusing on culturally appropriate conflict management should be designed for couples (50). Experts and health care providers have identified several benefits of using remote support, such as dealing with isolation, reducing deterrence, fear and embarrassment, and enhancing victims' empowerment (3). Gender equity in household is critical issue (61) and analyzing of status of high risk can be used for effective procedure.
Due to social distance, vulnerable people cannot improve their communication under psychological support primary care physicians, professors, friends or family. It also reduces the motivation for these people to seek professional help digital communications can be the key solution (27). Social support and having social capital is a key factor for vulnerable population. In some cases, social distance may prevent social support. Social support was affected during the pandemic due to limited resources and social distance. While social support is very effective in improving mood. Also access to social resources depends on the economic situation of women (27)
Community Level:
The three dimensions of this level are: poverty, social support and employment opportunities (50). Reducing court access to legal protections, reducing face-to-face support sessions and physician attention, access to essential services such as access to affordable emergency housing, and seeking help are some of the challenges of the pandemic era. Supportive childcare is reduced and the economic burden as well as the opportunity to escape abuse is increased. During this period, the use of rape crisis centers, domestic violence shelters, and other social organizations and free resources became more limited. Remote service based on priority can be one of the solutions (27). Sheltering policies based on priority are important at this level (50).
Education and empowerment increase access to resources in society, increase self-confidence, and improve high-income employment for women. Economic dependence increases the risk of violence and economic opportunities need to be created to increase employment status of women living in rural areas. (50). Online interventions for empowering is a key solutions (62). Fair resource access to all affected caregivers is an significant issue (27).
Societal Level:
There are four items at this level: Men’s superiority and dominance over women, acceptance of violence, cultural practices and Laws & policies (50).
The current US recession is a threat during the Covid-19 era and will continue after the pandemic. Economic stress increases for vulnerable people whose incomes are declining or who are unemployed (27). In addition to economic conditions, the closure of kindergartens and schools has affected women and have more internal responsibilities than men in domestic relationships (63). Risk of sexual abuse due to financial instability and less access to essential resources increase (64).
One of the important issues is to identify the cultural dimensions associated with the intimate partner abuse (65). Identifying the cultural and contextual research factors in the field of violence is essential. An interpersonal-violence registry system can be effective in collecting and analyzing information and prioritizing in this field (57). Improving children's social skills through IT-based interventions can be effective in preventing violence (61).
Recommended Framework:
IT-based interventions were reviewed in these 4 phases based on SEM model (figure1). IT tools based on evidence-based method in the four level was described. IT tools of individual level includes these items: violence registration system, smartphone, SMS Reminder, social media, websites and portal, e-mail, video conferencing, tele –consultation technology, Global Positioning System (GPS), GIS and wearable tracking device. IT tools of relationship level includes: violence registration system, smartphone, SMS Reminder, social media, websites and portal, E-mail, video conferencing and Tele –consultation technology. IT tools of community and social level includes: smartphone, SMS reminder, social media, websites and portal, national and international non-governmental organization (NGO) network, E-mail, video conferencing, Tele –consultation technology, screening information system, electronic health record, clinical decision support system, intelligent system/deep learning/machine learning, data mining, ICD-11 Online and E-dashboard (Figure 1). Tasks of 4 stakeholders in the field of violence against women and children and their areas of responsibility were presented with the help of IT-based interventions (Figure 2). Table 3 presents six recommendation for violence management and IT-based solutions. Finally, integrated information technology model presented for responses to violence against women and child during Covid-19 pandemic (Figure 3). The first and second levels of this model include 4 dimensions of SEM and 6 types of violence. The third level includes suggestions for managing violence and the fourth level includes IT-based interventions. Surveillance system and information resource system can be used for monitoring (Figure 3).
Table 3: Six recommendation for violence management and IT solutions
Recommendations
|
IT Solutions
|
Detecting high risk individuals
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-Identifying high risk individuals via electronic health record by age, level of education, habits, history of alcohol use, history of violence, marriage at a younger age, physical and mental status/personality disorder
- Identification of child abuse via registry system and emergency alert system
- Child abuse clinical decision support integrated with Electronic Health Record for detecting
- Tele-triage of vulnerable Individuals
- Predictors of violence against children and machine learning method
|
Tracing and tracking
|
- Wearable tracking device for vulnerable individuals with disability
- GPS and GIS tracking device for vulnerable individuals with disability
|
Empowering of vulnerable individuals and health care providers
|
- Training of health care providers by e-guidelines, pathways and decision support system for violence management
- Access to demographic, physical and psychological information of vulnerable individuals for awareness of health care professionals
- Improving children's social skills through educational portals
- Mobile health-based platforms for training of parent and children
- Improving self-management and self-esteem efficacy via tele-consultation programs
- Promoting knowledge, attitude and practices via web based portal, mobile application, social media and motor engine
- Training on reporting IPV cases by health care providers
|
Legal & Economic Support
|
- Automated court access
- Sheltering policies based on priority by IPVRS reporting
- Virtual entrepreneurship
|
Access to health care services
|
- Determination of violence severity via DSS and intelligence system
- Fair resource access by reporting of IPVRS and public information system
|
Social and Mental Support
|
- Improving Social skill for vulnerable individuals by online campaigns.
- Supporting of post-traumatic symptoms Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, anger and boredom, depression symptoms via digital communication
-Intelligence place-based emergency services
- Online education and gamification
- Tele consultation by Risk of sexual abuse
|
Governance & Management
|
- Evidence based decision making via IPVRS and public health system
- Allocation of resources and service management based on priority by e-dashboard
- Establishment of policy and legislation by reporting of public information system
- Gender equity in household
|
The finalized framework for application IT-based interventions in the management of violence against women and children presented in 4 dimension including individual, relationship, community and societal. In this study, after reviewing the eligible articles, as well as WHO and CDC websites, E-health framework were compiled in four dimension.