JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Latina immigrants in the U.S. face barriers to accessing information and support for intimate partner violence (IPV) due to language and cultural differences, lack of legal awareness, social isolation, and financial issues. Despite numerous interventions, research lacks insight into how these programs address access barriers and target IPV-related risk and protective factors.

Objective:

This systematic review aims to: (1) identify intervention studies conducted with Latina immigrants in reducing IPV outcomes (i.e., sexual and physical violence and GBV-related knowledge/attitudes), (2) evaluate the extent to which the implementation of these IPV interventions aligns with the access to care framework, and (3) establish whether the extent of IPV intervention alignment with the access to care framework has any significant impact on effectiveness.

Methods:

A systematic review will be conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocols checklist. The research will proceed iteratively among authors. The team, including a librarian, developed a search strategy and searched seven databases: APA PsycInfo, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, PubMed, Scopus, Social Work Abstracts, GenderWatch, and Sociological Abstracts from inception until June 9, 2025. Two reviewers independently conducted double selection of titles, abstracts, and full texts. A third reviewer resolved disagreements. Data extraction will be performed by two reviewers and validated by a senior researcher. We will develop intervention characteristics form for data extraction and analyze study quality using the modified Methodological Quality Rating Scale. To assess alignment with access implementation standards, we will operationalize the access to care framework by creating the Domains of IPV Service Access Rating Scale (DISARS) to evaluate how interventions address access barriers and determine whether addressing these barriers increases intervention effectiveness.

Results:

The search strategy and literature review were finalized in June 2025. A total of 943 references were identified after duplicates were removed, of which 181 were reviewed in full text. Seven studies were selected for this systematic review. The final synthesis and publication are anticipated to be completed by August 2025.

Conclusions:

This review will provide a comprehensive synthesis of strategies to address access barriers in IPV interventions for Latina immigrants, informing future practice and research to enhance equitable access to support and resources. Clinical Trial: PROSPERO registration number 42024622171