Violence Prevention Training for Maternal Death Reduction

Overseen By Ashley Roark, BS

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Kentucky

Disqualifiers: Not in helping program, Age, No patient interaction

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

2800 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial focuses on training students in helping professions to better recognize and prevent violence-related injuries and deaths in mothers. The research aims to test the effectiveness of an online training program, VIP Corps Training, and develop a system to track maternal injuries in Kentucky, known as the Kentucky Violent Death Reporting System. Students who interact with patients or clients facing potential violence or substance issues may find this opportunity beneficial.

As an unphased study, this trial provides a unique chance to contribute to meaningful change in community health practices.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this training and surveillance system are safe?

Research has shown that the VIP Corps training emphasizes education. It helps students identify and prevent injuries related to violence and substance use. As a training program rather than a medical treatment, it typically poses no safety concerns such as side effects. The primary goal is to assess how effectively the training enables students to understand and address these issues. No evidence suggests any harm from participating in this educational program. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it aims to tackle maternal injuries and deaths from violence in innovative ways. The VIP Corps training stands out by providing helping professionals with an interactive online platform to learn how to identify and prevent interpersonal violence and substance use disorders affecting mothers. This approach is distinctive because it builds capacity among future professionals to intervene effectively, something not typically emphasized in standard care. Additionally, the proposed Maternal Injury Surveillance System (MISS) could enhance existing systems by offering more detailed tracking and understanding of maternal injuries, leading to better prevention strategies. Together, these methods could significantly improve maternal health outcomes by focusing on prevention and early intervention.

What evidence suggests that this trial's interventions could be effective for reducing maternal injuries and deaths?

This trial will compare two approaches: the VIP Corps Training and the development of a Maternal Injury Surveillance System. Research shows that the VIP Corps Training, which participants in this trial may receive, aims to reduce injuries and deaths among mothers caused by violence and substance use. This training helps students in caring professions learn to spot and address cases of violence and substance abuse. Early evidence suggests that programs like this can raise awareness and improve responses to these issues, potentially reducing harm. Studies have found that when people are trained to notice and act on signs of violence or substance problems, they can effectively prevent related injuries and deaths. This approach aims to build skills for preventing injuries to mothers and saving lives. ^{2 3 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Ann L. Coker, PhD, MPH

Principal Investigator

University of Kentucky

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for students aged 18-30 who are in their senior year of a helping professions program and will interact with patients or clients that may experience interpersonal violence. It's not open to those outside this age range, not enrolled in such programs, or without direct patient interaction.

Inclusion Criteria

I am a senior student in a helping professions program.

Students whom will have direct interaction with patients or clients that may experience interpersonal violence (IPV)

Exclusion Criteria

I am a student and either younger than 18 or older than 30.

Students not enrolled in a helping professions program

Students with no direct interaction with patients or clients

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Training Intervention

Participants undergo VIP Corps online training to identify, intervene, and prevent maternal injuries from interpersonal violence and substance use/disorder.

2 years

Surveillance System Development

Development of a novel Maternal Injury Surveillance System (MISS) to complement the existing maternal mortality surveillance.

2 years

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in knowledge and attitudes toward intimate partner violence, substance use, and anxiety or depression.

2 years

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Implementation and Effectiveness of VIP Corps Training
• Kentucky Violent Death Reporting System

Trial Overview

The study is testing the implementation and effectiveness of Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) Corps Training among undergraduate and professional students. Additionally, it aims to develop a Maternal Injury Surveillance System alongside Kentucky's maternal death registry.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Maternal Injury and Death Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Our research team created a VIP Corps online, interactive learning management system (LMS) training. This VIP Corps online training will be offered to students enrolled in a helping profession. Students are randomized to this experimental intervention arm. This training seeks to provide helping professionals with information and resources to identify, intervene, and prevent maternal injuries from interpersonal violence, substance use/disorder (IPV and SU/D). This training will provide students with the knowledge, skills, and efficacy to intervene and build capacity for prevention of maternal injuries and death due to violence.

Group II: Development of a Maternal Injury Surveillance System Active Control 1 Intervention

Proposal of a novel Maternal Injury Surveillance System (MISS) as a complement to the existing maternal mortality surveillance available within Kentucky Violent Death Reporting System (KVDRS)

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Kentucky

Lead Sponsor

Trials

198

Recruited

224,000+

Ann Coker

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3

Recruited

8,200+

Department of Health and Human Services

Collaborator

Trials

240

Recruited

944,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study of 309 pregnancy-associated deaths in Virginia from 1999-2005, nearly 30% were due to violent causes, with homicide being the leading cause of death, especially among Black women who experienced homicide at a rate 4.5 times higher than White women.

The findings highlight the urgent need for improved maternal death surveillance, initiatives to combat violence against women, and universal screenings for domestic or interpersonal violence to enhance safety for pregnant individuals.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pregnancy-Associated Deaths in Virginia Due to Homicides, Suicides, and Accidental Overdoses Compared With Natural Causes. Bronson, J., Reviere, R.[2019]

The study found that higher rates of violent crime in 17 states were associated with increased rates of both pregnancy-related mortality and pregnancy-associated homicide, indicating a potential link between community violence and maternal health risks.

Implementing broad violence prevention strategies could be an effective approach to reduce maternal mortality from both obstetric-related causes and violent deaths during and after pregnancy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Violence As a Direct Cause of and Indirect Contributor to Maternal Death. Wallace, ME., Friar, N., Herwehe, J., et al.[2021]

In Illinois, homicide, suicide, and substance abuse accounted for nearly 25% of pregnancy-associated deaths from 2002 to 2013, highlighting a significant public health issue that has been under-researched compared to obstetric and medical causes.

A new maternal mortality review committee was established to focus on violent deaths, incorporating diverse expertise and additional data sources to identify preventable factors and improve prevention strategies, demonstrating a proactive approach to addressing these tragic outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Addressing maternal deaths due to violence: the Illinois experience. Koch, AR., Geller, SE.[2018]

Maternal homicide is a significant contributor to maternal mortality, with reported rates ranging from 0.97 to 10.6 per 100,000 live births, and is particularly high in the US compared to other countries.

Women at risk of maternal homicide are often younger, from minority ethnic groups, and unmarried, with domestic violence being a major risk factor, highlighting the need for effective screening and identification of vulnerable individuals.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Homicide in pregnant and postpartum women worldwide: a review of the literature. Cliffe, C., Miele, M., Reid, S.[2019]

From 2003 to 2007, the study found that pregnancy-associated homicide and suicide rates were 2.9 and 2.0 deaths per 100,000 live births, respectively, highlighting their significant contribution to maternal mortality.

A notable percentage of these deaths were linked to intimate partner violence, with 54.3% of suicides and 45.3% of homicides associated with such conflicts, indicating a critical area for intervention and support.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Homicide and suicide during the perinatal period: findings from the National Violent Death Reporting System. Palladino, CL., Singh, V., Campbell, J., et al.[2023]

In a study of 41 injury-related maternal deaths, over half (51.2%) of the women were known or suspected to have experienced domestic violence, highlighting a significant issue in maternal health.

Obstetric providers were often unaware of the domestic violence and depression affecting these women, with only one third of intimate partner homicides recognized as related to abuse, indicating a need for better screening and awareness in maternal care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Violent maternal deaths in North Carolina. Parsons, LH., Harper, MA.[2019]

Citations

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Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) Corps to Reduce ...

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Violence Prevention Training for Maternal Death Reduction

Participants undergo VIP Corps online training to identify, intervene, and prevent maternal injuries from interpersonal violence and substance use/disorder.

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research.uky.edu

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UK researchers' new study focuses on preventing deaths ...

The study titled “Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) Corps to Reduce Maternal Injuries and Deaths due to Violence” aims to create a centralized ...

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Mississippi Violence Injury Prevention (VIP) Program - MedPath

This clinical trial is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of three interventions aimed at preventing violence and supporting those affected by it.

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reporter.nih.gov

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reducing preventable causes of maternal morbidity and mortality

“Restoring equity to measuring and preventing perinatal intimate partner violence” (Remap-IPV) is a comprehensive, hybrid cohort training with tailored ...

6.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK568218/

STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS: IMPROVING MATERNAL ...

... ADDRESS DISPARITIES SUCH AS RACIAL ... ) and simulation training. Go to: HEALTH SYSTEMS, HOSPITALS, AND ...

7.

cdc.gov

cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7348a1.htm

Intimate Partner Violence and Pregnancy and Infant Health...

This report describes intimate partner violence among pregnant women and related outcomes.