Attitudes and perceptions of nursing personnel against the abuse of women in Crete

The violence at the women constitutes a social phenomenon with important repercussions for the victim. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the attitudes and perceptions of nursing personnel against the phenomenon of women’s abuse. MATERIAL-Method: The sample was consisted of 284 members of nursing personnel from all the hospitals and selected health care in Crete. The collection of data was performed with the use of a special questionnaire. Results: The results showed that the majority of the nursing personnel evaluated the psychological repercussion in woman as very important (81.7%), although most of them declared that they do not have time to deal with this (63.8%). Additionally the nursing personnel expressed the opinion that the interventions should be focused on nursing care (mean=4.50±0.89 R=1–5) and recognized as the main obstacle the fear for reprisal from the side of perpetrator (mean=4.06±1.20 R=1–5). Conclusions: The results of this study indicate the necessity for the development and application of educational programs and protocols for early diagnosis and management of abused women.