Investigating the Barriers and Possibilities for Improving the Healthcare Service of Female Survivors of Gender-based Violence in Upper Egypt

Barriers and Opportunities in Delivering Healthcare Services for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence: Experience From a Safe Women's Unit in Upper Egypt

Female survivors of gender-based violence in Upper Egypt need improvement in healthcare services, since women are affected by it more than males. In this study, the investigators address the barriers and the possibilities that can shape effective recommendations for a better healthcare system targeting the survivors.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Gender-Based Violence

Detailed Description

Gender-based violence (GBV) constitutes a major public health and human rights issue worldwide, defined as physical, psychological, sexual, or economic acts that cause harm based on gender. GBV disproportionately affects women. An estimated 35% of women globally have experienced domestic or sexual abuse in their lifetime, with female survivors experiencing higher rates of injury and long-term physical and mental health sequelae compared to men. Healthcare providers are uniquely positioned to identify, manage, and refer affected women, as many survivors seek care within hospital settings.

The OB-GYN department serves as a critical entry point for survivors seeking reproductive health services, antenatal care, and emergency obstetric interventions, often representing the first opportunity for intervention. Violence during pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, underscoring the need for survivor-centered services in Egypt. Since 2019, UNFPA, the National Council for Women, and the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population have established 33 Safe Women Clinics across Egypt, providing multidisciplinary care, though barriers such as limited training, resources, stigma, and inadequate coordination persist. The 2022 launch of the Arabic Protocol on Healthcare for Women Subjected to Gender-Based Violence strengthened provider response by establishing standardized guidance on clinical management, screening, and referral.

Given that survivors utilize health services more frequently than any other form of assistance, health professionals are uniquely positioned to recognize and respond to abuse; however, they often inadequately address such cases. This study presents data and professional recommendations on identifying and managing GBV in clinical settings, with attention to the needs of Indigenous women exposed to violence or abuse.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 400

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Tarek A Hussein, MBChB; Phone Number: +201013888833; Email: Tarek.16266338@med.aun.edu.eg

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Doctors, nurses, and social workers working in the Women's Safe Unit. And women attending the unit for medical or psychological support during the study period.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthcare providers
• Female survivors of Violence

Exclusion Criteria:

-

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Identification of key barriers affecting healthcare service delivery for women survivors of gender-based violence.	Within 1 year

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Development of recommendations to improve Women's Safe Units in Egypt.	Within 1 year

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Assiut University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Tarek A Hussein, MBChB, Assiut University; Study Chair: Kamal M Zahran, Professor, Assiut University; Study Director: Sherif M Badran, Lecturer, Assiut University; Study Director: Abdulrahman M Rageh, Lecturer, Assiut University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): May 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): April 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): April 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 9, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 15, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): April 22, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 22, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 15, 2026
• Last Verified: April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Gender-based violence
• Other Study ID Numbers: Gender-Based Violence(GBV)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No