Knowledge and attitudes of nurses regarding domestic violence and their effect on the identification of battered women.

The exact prevalence of domestic violence in Israel is unknown because of problems with the identification of battered women. This study aimed to examine the effect of nurse knowledge, department routines, and attitudes on the identification of battered women. This is a descriptive, quantitative study employing a convenience sample consisting of 100 hospital- and community-based nurses. A positive correlation was found between nurses' attitude, knowledge, and departmental routines and patient screening for abuse. While nurses are aware of domestic violence and understand the significance of identification, this is often not manifested in practice.