Preparedness of primary health care physicians to screen for violence against women in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 2022

Abstract

Background: Violence against women (VAW) is a public health issue affecting women’s physical, psychological, and economic well-being. Primary Health Care (PHC) is central to early identification and referral, as many victims seek help in PHC settings. This study assessed the preparedness of Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to address VAW. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 132 PCPs in 2022 using a validated and adapted self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 28). Descriptive statistics summarized characteristics and preparedness scores; t-tests and one-way ANOVA examined group differences; and multivariable linear regression identified predictors, with covariates selected a priori based on clinical relevance and prior VAW literature. Results: Overall, 18.2% of PCPs had formal VAW training, and 31.1% reported at least one disclosure of abuse in the past year. The mean preparedness score was 21.2 out of 32 (95% CI 20.5–21.9), indicating moderate preparedness. Training was significantly associated with higher preparedness and was the only independent predictor in adjusted analyses. Preparedness varied by professional degree. The main reported barriers were concerns about legal consequences and limited community resources. Findings are based on self-reported data from two institutions and may not be fully generalizable to all PHC settings. Conclusions: Preparedness among PCPs was moderate and shaped by training. Strengthening PHC responses requires integrating culturally sensitive VAW content into pre- and in-service curricula, embedding routine trauma-informed inquiry into workflows, and implementing concise referral protocols aligned with the Domestic Violence Reporting Center (DVRC 1919) and community services, supported by coordinated monitoring.