Patterns and predictors of domestic violence and abuse enquiry in South East London maternity settings: Cross-sectional analysis of routine electronic health record data collected between 2019 and 2023

BACKGROUND: The UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommends routine enquiry about domestic violence and abuse (DVA) in maternity care. We aimed to explore patterns and predictors of DVA enquiry during routine first antenatal care (‘booking’) appointments with midwives in South East London. METHODS: We conducted an observational cohort study using cross-sectional data collected through the St Thomas’ Hospital midwifery service between 1st January 2019 and 31st March 2023. Pseudonymised data were extracted from maternity records, comprising demographics, mental and physical health information, social factors, and DVA enquiry. We used linear mixed modelling to test associations between predictors and DVA enquiry. RESULTS: The dataset comprised 7,932 booking appointments with 7,007 women (median age: 32 years; ethnicity: 52% White, 27% Black, 7% Asian, and 15% other). Enquiry was made about current experiences of DVA in 79.4% of appointments. Black-identifying women (OR=1.28, 95% CI [1.11,1.46]) and those born in Sub-Saharan Africa (OR=1.37 [1.14,1.64]) were more likely to be asked than white-identifying and UK-born women. Single women were more likely to be asked than married or cohabiting women (OR=1.22 [1.08,1.38]). Those living in more deprived neighbourhoods were more likely to be asked (OR=1.07 [1.01,1.14]). Multivariable modelling found that being born in Sub-Saharan Africa or Southern Europe, and living alone but with additional support were all associated with increased DVA enquiry, while being born in North America or requiring an interpreter were associated with decreased enquiry CONCLUSIONS: Despite recommendations for routine DVA enquiry during all booking appointments, a substantial proportion of pregnant individuals were not asked between 2019 to 2023. Predictors of DVA enquiry reflected practical barriers (e.g. language), and known or perceived predictors of DVA risk (e.g. deprivation). Our findings suggest that midwives consciously or unconsciously prioritise DVA enquiry for women they believe are at greatest risk, against national guidelines.