A randomised controlled trial of empowerment training for Chinese abused pregnant women in Hong Kong

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of an empowerment intervention in reducing intimate partner violence (IPV) and improving health status. Design Randomised controlled trial. Setting Antenatal clinic in a public hospital in Hong Kong. Sample One hundred and ten Chinese pregnant women with a history of abuse by their intimate partners. Methods Women were randomized to the experimental or control group. Experimental group women received empowerment training specially designed for Chinese abused pregnant women while the control group women received standard care for abused women. Data were collected at study entry and six weeks postnatal. Main outcomes measures IPV [on the Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS)] health-related quality of life (SF-36) and postnatal depression [Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)]. Results Following the training the experimental group had significantly higher physical functioning and had significantly improved role limitation due to physical problems and emotional problems. They also reported less psychological (but not sexual) abuse minor (but not severe) physical violence and had significantly lower postnatal depression scores. However they reported more bodily pain. Conclusion An empowerment intervention specially designed for Chinese abused pregnant women was effective in reducing IPV and improving the health status of the women. (authors)