What women think: hypothetical notions of screening for intimate partner violence in Kenyan hospital settings

reproductive health and HIV clinic). Data were collected by two female interviewers who were not involved in the clinical management of the respondents. These data were generated in response to hypothetical questions posed to women to assess the extent to which IPV screening would be acceptable to, and useful for, them. The indepth interviews were hand-recorded verbatim and typed up in MS Word. Data were analyzed using content analysis techniques primarily, with codes developed and configured along lines of topical inquiry. Additional codes were developed based on emerging themes that seemed important for determining the utility of IPV screening. Dominant themes depicting women’s main thoughts about IPV screening are presented here. Results: what women think Qualitative analysis suggested that women’ so pinions about hypothetical IPV screening protocols in this Kenyan context are shaped by their concerns about confidentiality; the need to raise awareness around IPV and available care; gaps in the health care system that translate to unmet needs of survivors; and the need for clear-cut responses to IPV that do not promise more than can be realistically offered. While there is some overlap between these themes, each is presented separately, and verbatim quotes from respondents are labelled according to the location at which the respondent sought care. Provider distance could help facilitate screening The women in this study perceived that the involvement of health providers (particularly - but not solely - doctors) in the screening and referral process would serve to greatly enhance the chances of survivors complying with referrals for IPV care. Providers in hospital settings were seen by