HIV-positive women report more lifetime partner violence: findings from a voluntary counseling and testing clinic in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Am J Public Health. 2002 Aug;92(8):1331-7. doi: 10.2105/ajph.92.8.1331.

Abstract

Objectives: Experiences of partner violence were compared between HIV-positive and HIV-negative women.

Methods: Of 340 women enrolled, 245 (72%) were followed and interviewed 3 months after HIV testing to estimate the prevalence and identify the correlates of violence.

Results: The odds of reporting at least 1 violent event was significantly higher among HIV-positive women than among HIV-negative women (physical violence odds ratio [OR] = 2.63; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.23, 5.63; sexual violence OR = 2.39; 95% CI = 1.21, 4.73). Odds of reporting partner violence was 10 times higher among younger (< 30 years) HIV-positive women than among younger HIV-negative women (OR = 9.99; 95% CI = 2.67, 37.37).

Conclusions: Violence is a risk factor for HIV infection that must be addressed through multilevel prevention approaches.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • AIDS Serodiagnosis
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Counseling
  • Domestic Violence / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • HIV Seronegativity
  • HIV Seropositivity / epidemiology*
  • HIV Seroprevalence*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Sexual Partners / psychology*
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Tanzania / epidemiology
  • Women's Health*