Evaluation of the awareness and the attitudes of domestic violence among aydin Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Medicine students

Violence is the intended application or the threat of physical force or power that potentially causes physical and psychological harm, or to the deprivation of needs and resources in the recipient persons or groups. This study aims to measure the extent of knowledge and awareness about domestic violence among students from the faculty of medicine, those who can be considered highly educated in society. Considering their future active role in the forensic reporting of domestic violence following their graduation, this study aims to reflect on the future attitudes and behaviour of the students. This study includes 352 students who agreed to participate while proceeding with their studies between 01.10.2022 and 01.02.2023 at the Aydın Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Medicine. The study was carried out under the socio-demographic data form, Domestic Violence Awareness Scale (AİŞFÖ), and the Attitude Towards Violence in University Students Scale (ÜÖŞYTÖ). The study indicated that %50,9 (n=179) of the participants had previously witnessed domestic violence inflicted on a family member or in their close circle and %31,3 (n=110) had experienced domestic violence in their own family. Additionally, %70,5 (n=248) of the students had not received any education regarding domestic violence. The study determined that the total sum of AİŞFÖ and ÜÖŞYTÖ average marks were high. The findings show a statistically significant difference which confirms higher levels of awareness about domestic violence among students in their clinic terms compared to the pre-clinic students, as well as among female students compared to male students, and among students who had received trainings regarding domestic violence compared to those who had not. It was also observed that the students who witnessed or experienced violence tended to further accept the reality of domestic violence, and had a worse attitude towards it. According to the collected data in our study, it is safe to suggest that the percentages of witnessing and experiencing violence are worthy of attention. Considering that violence is a societal problem, significant benefits can be provided by offering trainings to every segment of society from a young age, in addition to the regular repetition of these trainings. It is our recommendation to provide training and education materials for health professionals who are undertaking significant roles especially in diagnosing domestic violence cases, providing their forensic reports, as well as in the reintegration of victims into society. We suggest that the addition of the relevant training to the pre-clinic term curriculums within forensic medicine education will provide a thorough update to the faculty of medicine syllabus, and will effectively contribute to the solution of this problem.