A prospective study of frequency and correlates of intimate partner violence among African heterosexual HIV serodiscordant couples
Were, E.; Curran, K.; Delany-Moretlwe, S.; Nakku-Joloba, E.; Mugo, N.R.; Kiarie, J.; Bukusi, E.A.; Celum, C.; Baeten, J.M.; Celum, C.; Wald, A.; Lingappa, J.; Baeten, J.M.; Campbell, M.; Corey, L.; Coombs, R.W.; Hughes, J.P.; Magaret, A.; McElrath, M. J.; Morrow, R.; Mullins, J.I.; Coetzee, D.; Fife, K.; Were, E.; Essex, M.; Makhema, J.; Katabira, E.; Ronald, A.; Allen, S.; Kayitenkore, K.; Karita, E.; Bukusi, E.; Cohen, C.; Allen, S.; Kanweka, W.; Allen, S.; Vwalika, B.; Kapiga, S.; Manongi, R.
Aids 25(16): 2009-2018
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 1473-5571 PMID: 21811146 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0b013e32834b005dDocument Number: 549711
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is common worldwide and is an important consideration in couples HIV voluntary counseling and testing (CVCT), especially for HIV-serodiscordant couples (i.e. in which only one member is HIV-infected). Prospective study of 3408 HIV-serodiscordant couples (2299 in which the HIV-infected partner was female) from seven countries from East and Southern Africa. At quarterly visits during up to 2 years of follow-up, participants were asked, separately, about IPV perpetrated against them by their partner during the prior 3 months. Correlates of IPV were determined by generalized estimating equations. The majority of couples were married and living together, with an average duration of partnership of approximately 5 years. More than 39,000 quarterly visits were recorded. IPV was reported in 2.7% of visits by HIV-infected women, 2.2% by HIV-uninfected women, 0.9% by HIV-infected men, and 0.7% by HIV-uninfected men. The majority of IPV reports were verbal or a combination of verbal and physical violence. Those who were HIV-infected were more likely to report IPV [for women adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.33, P = 0.043; for men AOR 2.20, P = 0.001], but IPV was not significantly associated with risk of HIV seroconversion in HIV-uninfected participants. IPV incidence decreased during follow-up (P < 0.001). During up to 2 years of prospective follow-up, most persons in stable HIV-serodiscordant partnerships who had undergone CVCT did not report IPV. A modest increased risk of IPV was seen for HIV-infected partners, both female and male.