The objective of this study was to review original research on the intersection of violence against women by intimate partners and risk for HIV infection and highlight opportunities for new research and programme development. Seventy-one articles presenting original, peer-reviewed research conducted with females aged 12 years and older in heterosexual relationships during the past decade (1998–2007) were reviewed. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they addressed intimate partner violence (IPV) against women and HIV/AIDS as mutual risk factors. The prevalence of IPV and HIV infection among women varies globally, but females remain at elevated risk for both IPV and sexually transmitted/HIV infection, independently and concurrently. Comparisons between sero-negative and -positive women varied by geographic region; African HIV-positive women reported higher rates of victimisation while findings were inconsistent for HIV-positive women in the USA. Studies among various populations support the existence of a temporally and biologically complex relationship between HIV risk, lifetime exposure to violence and substance use, which are further complicated by gender and sexual decision-making norms. A possible link between violence-related post traumatic stress disorder and comorbid depression on immunity to HIV acquisition and HIV disease progression warrants further investigation. Sexual risk related to IPV works through both male and female behaviour, physiological consequences of violence and affects women across the lifespan. Further physiological and qualitative research is needed on the mechanisms of enhanced transmission; prospective studies are critical to address issues of causality and temporality. Prevention efforts should focus on the reduction of male-perpetrated IPV and male HIV risk behaviours in intimate partnerships.

Objective To describe current evidence on home visiting (HV) interventions for pregnant or postpartum women with specific intimate partner violence (IPV) assessment and content. Data Sources Online bibliographic databases including PubMed, CINAHL Plus, and Web of Science and a hand search of bibliographies of relevant articles. Study Selection Original research and intervention studies were included that contained 1) a well-described prenatal and/or postpartum home visitation; 2) an assessment of perinatal IPV; and 3) quantitative data describing health outcomes for the women and their infants. Data Extraction The search yielded 128 articles, and eight relevant articles met all of the inclusion criteria. Non-research, non -intervention and international articles were excluded. Data Synthesis No perinatal home visiting interventions were designed to address IPV. Programs that screened for IPV found high rates, and the presence of IPV limited the ability of the intervention to improve maternal and child outcomes. Conclusions Perinatal home visitation programs likely improve pregnancy and infant outcomes. Home visiting interventions addressing IPV in non-perinatal population groups have been effective in minimizing IPV and improving outcomes. This suggests that perinatal HV programs adding a specific IPV interventions may reduce IPV and improve maternal and infant health. Continued rigorous research is needed.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a widespread problem in the United States and globally, with increasing evidence of significant effects on the physical and mental health and well-being of women and children. This chapter critically reviews recent research in this area, starting with an overview of prevalence in the health care system, followed by sections on physical health effects (including homicide, attempted homicide, injury, pregnancy-related outcomes, and the emerging area of research on the intersection of IPV and HIV/AIDS), mental health effects, and the other emerging area of research in the integrated biopsychosocial-immunological mechanisms that underlie these health effects, with a final section on implications for prevention and intervention.In this chapter, we use the 1999 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) definition of IPV, which can be summarized as physical and/ or sexual assault or threats of assault against a married, cohabitating, or dating current or estranged intimate partner by the other partner, also including emotional abuse and controlling behaviors in a relationship in which there 113