Date of Award

12-2022

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Health Policy and Management

First Advisor

Dr. Rozina Karmaliani

Department

Community Health Sciences

Abstract

Background: Domestic Violence (DV) is an important public health issue and dentists may be the first point of care to encounter the victims of DV, experiencing trauma to the head and neck region. Dentists can play a significant role in identifying, reporting and referring the victims of DV to the right authorities. However, they lack knowledge and awareness, and several gaps exists in the dental healthcare system regarding reporting and referring of DV victims to the relevant authorities. Local literature on this major area is scarce and a comprehensive study is essential to know the readiness of dental healthcare system in tackling this issue by including all the stakeholders involved in the system.
Objective: The objective of the study is focused on exploring the dental healthcare system’s readiness in identifying, reporting and referring the patients of domestic violence coming to the healthcare settings in Karachi, Pakistan.
Method: The study followed a qualitative exploratory design with purposive sampling which provided an in-depth exploration of dental healthcare system’s readiness in identifying, reporting and referring the patients of DV coming to the healthcare settings in Karachi, Pakistan. The study was conducted in a public and private dental institution and in the selected stakeholder’s official premises in Karachi. 13 participants were interviewed in total. In-depth interviews were conducted with the dentists in the public and private dental institutions and Key Informant (KI) Interviews were conducted with key stakeholders including law-enforcement, policy maker, educationists and regulatory authorities. Data was collected from August to September 2022. Most of the interviews were conducted within 20-25 minutes and were audio-recorded. Data analysis was performed using thematic analysis method following a deductive approach.
Results: The findings of the study depicted the gaps in reporting and referral mechanisms, insufficient knowledge of dentists for helping DV patients, missing coordination between health, education and law-enforcement departments and agencies to assist the victims of DV and overall lack of education and awareness around this taboo topic, whilst simultaneously highlighting the existing laws and agencies present to cater DV in Karachi, Pakistan.
Conclusion: DV is a significant and grossly prevalent issue in our society which needs recognition, action and awareness on all levels of the system. Our dental healthcare system lacks response to deal with and assist the patients of DV coming to the healthcare settings and lacks knowledge on how to timely and properly deal with the intricacies of this matter. Thorough awareness and education regarding DV amongst the population is necessary. Dental healthcare system needs collaboration, support and integrated working to be able to help potential DV victims coming to them to seek treatment. It is also equally significant for the authorities to disseminate laws and guidelines rightfully and responsibly against DV and make it accessible to everyone in our society. Furthermore, inter-departmental coordination is important to facilitate reporting and referral mechanisms for all DV victims. Systems should be made easy, concrete and reliable and only by achieving a united goal, dexterity and multi-sectoral approach, can readiness be accomplished and DV managed in our society.

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1

Last Page

89

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