Forced sexual intercourse and its association with HIV status among people attending HIV Voluntary Counseling and Testing in a healthcare center in Kinshasa (DRC)

Abstract

IntroductionSexual violence, an HIV determinant, is an integrated behavior in the D.R.Congo. We aimed to analyze the prevalence of forced sexual intercourse (FSI) among people receiving HIV Voluntary Counseling and Testing in a hospital in Kinshasa, and its association with socio-demographics, behaviors and HIV status.MethodologyCase-control study (2010–2012). Two-hundred and seventy-four cases with a new HIV+ test and 1,340 controls with an HIV- test were interviewed about HIV-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviors, including FSI.ResultsThirty-four percent of the participants declared having had FSI (38% of women and 32% of men). Being a woman, aged 25–49 and reporting multiple sexual partners were associated with reporting FSI. For men, being single was protective against FSI; and cohabiting, having a high socioeconomic status, and alcohol consumption increased the odds. For women, being single, divorced/separated and widow was associated with reporting FSI. A significant positive association was found between FSI and an HIV positive test.ConclusionAmong our Congolese population, FSI was strongly associated with HIV infection and it was also associated with alcohol consumption and multiple sexual partnerships, other key HIV determinants. These behaviors need to be identified as potential risk factors of FSI during counseling interventions. Researchers, practitioners and decision-makers should work together to get violence prevention integrated into health, social and educational policies.

Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated With Physical and/or Sexual Abuse Among Female Middle School Students: A Cross- Sectional Study in Kinshasa, DRC

“…Conversely, girls whose parents were unemployed, and those who were younger were at higher risk of experiencing these abuses. These results corroborate with the findings of some previous studies (Burgueño et al, 2017;Naidoo et al, 2017), but not with the results of studies conducted in conflict zones of the DRC (Burkhardt et al, 2016).…”

<p>Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Among Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Post-Conflict Scenario</p>

“…50 Besides, the prevalence of HIV infection among women in the IDP camps was significantly higher and more strongly associated with the history of SGBV than among women in the host population of the DRC and other conflict-prone African countries. [51][52][53] Nevertheless, some researchers have argued that the data supporting the association between conflict-driven SGBV and the HIV prevalence and incidence rates at the population level is inconclusive. [54][55][56] The Origins of the Problem and Impact on Equity Globally, gender inequalities have a strong relationship with sexual violence.…”

Comportamiento sexual de pacientes con infección por VIH según grupos de edad

“…Finalmente, este grupo de pacientes jóvenes reporta la mayor frecuencia de ser abusado sexualmente (29.03%). Estudios en otros lugares muestran tasas más bajas de abuso sexual (De Vries et al, 2014;Naidoo et al, 2017) e incluso se informa una frecuencia más alta en pacientes mayores (Burgueño et al, 2017).…”