The effect of a peer education program on combating violence against women: A randomized controlled study

Abstract

Background: Student nurses in Turkey need to be exposed to appropriate undergraduate training if they are to acquire the required knowledge, attitudes and skills that will help them to fight the issue of violence against women (VAW).

Objectives: The aim of this research study was to assess the effect of a peer education program about combating VAW on the knowledge, attitudes and skills of nursing students.

Design: The study was designed as a randomized controlled trial.

Settings: The participants in the intervention group received peer education on combating VAW.

Participants: 136 nursing students (intervention group: n=63, control group: n=73) were included in the study.

Results: Participants in both the intervention and control groups were assessed at pre-training and at two months post-training. Pre-training and post-training knowledge and attitudes were significantly different in the intervention group (p<0.001). Moreover, the intervention group displayed a statistically significant difference in their ability to explain the correct interventions in a case study about VAW (p<0.001).

Conclusions: Our results indicate that peer education should be used as a part of undergraduate nursing education on VAW.

Keywords: Combating violence against women; Domestic violence; Nursing education; Nursing student; Peer education.