Intimate partner violence and associated factors among HIV positive women attending antiretroviral therapy clinics in Gondar city, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction Intimate partner violence against women is a behavior within an intimate relationship that causes sexual, physical, or psychological harm to the women. It occurs among all socioeconomic, religious, and cultural groups in all settings, and affects the health of women, families, and the community at large. Determining the magnitude and determinants of intimate partner violence against HIV positive women could help to design preventive and control strategies. However, there is a dearth of information regarding the magnitude and determinants of intimate partner violence against HIV positive women in Ethiopia. Thus, this study aimed to assess the magnitude and associated factors of intimate partner violence against HIV positive women in Gondar city, Northwest Ethiopia. Method A facility-based cross-sectional study was carried out from February to May 2021 in selected public health facilities of Gondar city among 626 HIV positive women. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select study participants. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS) version 20 software. Bivariable and Multivariable logistic regression models were done. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to identify determinants of intimate partner violence. Statistical significance was considered at a p value < 0.05. Results The overall prevalence of intimate partner violence against HIV positive women within the last 12 months was 64.2% (95% CI 60.4, 68.2). Physical violence was the most common type (54.8%), followed by sexual (51.1%) and emotional (48.9%) violence. Intimate partner violence among HIV positive women was associated with women’s age 19–24 (AOR = 0.13, 95% CI 0.02, 0.79), monthly income of 500–2500 (AOR = 6.5, 95% CI 1.72, 25.0), urban residence (AOR = 0.35, 95% CI 0.13, 0.91), partner drink alcohol (AOR = 2.14, 95% CI 1.42, 4.06), and a husband with no multiple sexual partners (AOR = 0.75, 95% CI 0.34, 0.94). Conclusion The result of this study revealed that intimate partner violence against HIV positive women was found to be high. Thus, protective measures that could increase the community’s and women’s awareness about the consequences of various forms of violence, and women empowerment are paramount. Priorities in programs of gender-based violence prevention should involve women from rural residences, older age, and males who consume alcohol.

The Social Geography of Women’s Attitudes toward Wife-beating in Ethiopia: A Contribution Towards Proper Application of Spatial Statistics

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Healthcare Workers’ Experiences and Challenges in Managing Gender-Based Violence Among HIV-Positive Women Living in Southern, Tanzania: A Qualitative Study

“… 11 Similar studies from Uganda, and Kenya also show a higher GBV prevalence among WLHIV compared to HIV-negative women. 9 , 12 , 13 In WLHIV, GBV is significantly associated with poor clinical, immunological and virological outcomes. 14–16 A study conducted in semi-rural Cameroon and Malawi showed that physical intimate partner violence is associated with the interruption of antiretroviral therapy among PLHIV.…”

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“…A study in Ethiopia found that the overall prevalence of IPV against WWH within the last 12 months was 64.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 60.4–68.2). Physical violence was the most common type (54.8%), followed by sexual (51.1%) and emotional (48.9%) violence [ 8 ]. A study in Ruili, China examined partner and couple relationship characteristics associated with physical and sexual IPV among 219 WWH.…”