Intimate Partner Violence and Communication of HIV Diagnosis in Rakai, Uganda

Abstract

Individuals who communicate their HIV diagnosis to sexual partners may be at increased risk of intimate partner violence (IPV). The authors examined past year self-reported IPV associated with communication of HIV diagnosis and other factors, in a sample of 679 sexually active; HIV-positive individuals age 18 to 49, who received HIV results and posttest counselling 12 months or more prior to the survey in Rakai, Uganda, using log-binomial multivariable regression. The rates of verbal and physical abuse among married individuals were significantly higher compared to unmarried persons, respectively. Physical abuse was significantly higher among women compared to men. IPV was not significantly associated with communication of HIV diagnosis. Interventions to prevent IPV among married HIV-positive individuals particularly women, at the community level, are needed.

Marital Rape and HIV Risk in Uganda: The Impact of Women’s Empowerment Factors

“…Within relationships polarized with IPV, women are less likely to negotiate safer sex practices such as the use of condoms, thus increasing their susceptibility to HIV infections. For instance, evidence from East Africa indicates that most women who test HIV positive are also likely to report experiencing IPV (Hassen & Deyassa, 2013;Kairania et al, 2015;Karamagi et al, 2006;Wagman et al, 2015).…”

“…Evidence shows that vulnerabilities usually intersect and amplify each other in bidirectional ways (Winchester, 2016). In Uganda, women in marital relationships experience significantly higher rates of verbal and physical abuse than unmarried women (Kairania et al, 2015).…”

Predictors and Factors Associated with Counseling Seeking Behavior Against Intimate Partner Violence Among HIV-Positive Women in Southwestern Uganda

“…Correlates of IPV in the general population in Uganda include gender norm perceptions about violence, sociodemographic characteristics, substance abuse (especially alcohol), marital dissatisfaction, and presence of sexual problems. 9 , 11 , 16 , 22 Whereas a study conducted in Uganda by Kairania et al 23 showed that HIV-positive disclosure was associated with among women living with HIV, another study showed that disclosure was protective against IPV. 11 Other factors such as testing for HIV, HIV positive result disclosure, antiretroviral therapy use, requesting for a protective sexual encounter, low education level, and being married may lead to IPV.…”

“… 11 Other factors such as testing for HIV, HIV positive result disclosure, antiretroviral therapy use, requesting for a protective sexual encounter, low education level, and being married may lead to IPV. 11 , 16 , 23 …”

Perceived Barriers to HIV Care and Viral Suppression Comparing Newly Diagnosed Women Living with HIV in Rural Uganda with and without a History of Intimate Partner Violence

“…Rates of IPV may be even higher among the entire population of WLHIV (i.e., including both those who are and are not engaged in HIV care) in rural Uganda, with a recent study indicating that 72.22% of WLHIV reported at least one lifetime experience of physical, sexual, or emotional IPV ( Ogbonnaya et al, 2020). Further, researchers have found that rural Ugandan WLHIV are at higher risk of IPV than urban Ugandan WLHIV (Kairania et al, 2015).…”