Striving to Make a Difference: Health Care Worker Experiences With Intimate Partner Violence Clients in Tanzania

Abstract

In this article we describe health care workers (HCWs’) experiences and perceptions of meeting clients exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV). Qualitative content analysis of in-depth interviews from 16 informants resulted in four main themes. The first, “internalizing women's suffering and powerlessness,” describes HCWs’ perceptions of violence, relating it to gender relations. The second, “caught between encouraging disclosure and lack of support tools,” refers to views on possibilities for transparency and openness. The third, “Why bother? A struggle to manage with limited resources,” illustrates the consequences of a heavy workload. Last; “striving to make a difference,” emphasizes a desire to improve abilities to support clients and advocate for prevention.

Acknowledgments

This study was performed with support from the Swedish Agency for Research Cooperation, SAREC. The authors acknowledge administrative support from Umeå University and Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, the participating HCWs, and their employers in Temeke District, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This work also was undertaken within the center for global health at Umeå University, with support from FAS, the Swedish Council for working life and Social research (grant no. 2006-1512).

Notes

1. PF3, –is a police form that all clients who have been injured must obtain before presenting for health services. The medical officers have to complete the form regarding the extent of injuries after the clients recover, for fair judgment of a case by the judiciary.