The link between HIV/AIDS and violence among young adults: A study in Udupi, Karnataka

Abstract

Background: Violence is a major public health problem which affects the community and threatens the life of people. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence and different forms of violence among HIV positive young adults taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Udupi district. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among HIV positive young adults (18-35 years) who were aware of their status. The participants were selected from ART Centre of Udupi district adopting convenience sampling. Data were collected from 200 young HIV positive young adults using a predesigned, pre-tested self-administered questionnaire. Results: The overall prevalence of domestic violence was 14.5% and was found to be more among females (17.6%) as compared to males (6.9%). This difference was statistically signifi cant among gender with a P-value <0.05. Among the various forms of violence the prevalence of physical violence was found to be 14.5% with signifi cant difference among gender. Among females who experienced physical violence, husband was perpetrator in 76% cases and among males, parents/relatives as the perpetrator in 75% cases. Around 8.5% of females had experienced sexual violence and husband was perpetrator in 50% of the cases followed by relatives and friend/acquaintance. Conclusion: Physical and sexual violence was found to be more in female HIV positive patients as compared to males. The presence of violence among HIV positive young adults especially among the females demands for the concerted efforts at combating underlying factors leading to violence among this vulnerable group of HIV positive young adults. Abstract Access this article onlineWebsite: www.ijmedph.org

Types and risk factors of violence experienced by people living with HIV, Pakistan: a cross-sectional study

“…The prevalence of sexual violence was 74.8% in our study, a figure much higher than reported from developed and developing countries (20,23,31,32). A meta-analysis in the United States of America showed the prevalence of intimate partner violence was 55.3% in HIV-positive women, and 30% of these women had experienced posttraumatic stress disorder (32).…”

“…These figures are higher than other developing countries. A study from India reported the prevalence of physical violence in HIV-positive adults was 14.5%: 17.6% in women and 6.9% in men (20). In another Indian study, 42% of female participants reported violence, of whom 29% reported physical and 69% reported psychological abuse (21).…”

“…Our results show that the prevalence of physical violence was greater in women living with HIV than men (76.6% versus 60.7%) and that younger age and having an HIV-positive partner were significant predictors of physical violence. The prevalence of physical and sexual violence was found to be higher in females with HIV infection than males in India (20). Furthermore a study in Canada found that up to 81% of women living with HIV had faced acts of violence, 56% of whom reported at least five episodes of violence in their lifetime (28).…”