The relationship between sexual violence and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among women using voluntary counseling and testing services in South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

BackgroundGender based violence affects the health and wellbeing of women across the world on an epidemic scale. While women remain more vulnerable to both sexual violence and risk of HIV infection, they are less able to access health and other welfare services than men. These vulnerabilities are further compounded by social factors, including the low status of women in many communities and their lack of decision-making power, both within the household and in wider society. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between sexual violence and HIV infection among clients of voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services in South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia.MethodologyA facility based cross sectional study was conducted using quantitative methods on a sample of 647 people living in seven selected districts of South Wollo Zone, Amhara Regional State.ResultsThe study revealed that sexual violence is significantly associated with the risk of HIV infection. The prevalence of lifetime sexual violence, lifetime partner violence, and last 12 months partner violence were 34.6%, 32.3% and 10.5% respectively. Both partner violence and lifetime sexual violence by another perpetrator were associated with HIV. The overall prevalence of HIV among VCT users was 21.5%. Both before (crude analysis) and after the results were adjusted for selected variables, women who experienced sexual violence in the last 12 months by their intimate partner or by another perpetrator is significantly associated with their HIV status. The chances of having HIV was 1.97 times higher among women victims who have a history of lifetime partner violence when compared with women who are not victims; crude odds ratio (COR) = 1.97, 95% Confidence Interval (CI), (1.34 - 2.90).ConclusionThe study revealed that sexual violence is significantly associated with the risk of HIV infection. Empowerment of women can be used as an important tool to reduce both sexual violence and HIV. More importantly policy issues must be set by all actors to take action on the mediating variables that interacted with violence to aggravate the transmission of HIV.

Time for action: Intimate partner violence troubles one third of Ethiopian women

“…Sexual violence was also found to be higher in other studies conducted in different parts of the country. The difference from the current study ranges from 26.7% to 52% as compared to studies conducted in East Wollega [20], rural Ethiopia [31] Kersa district of Jimma Zone [29], South Wollo [32], Awi Zone [30] and Wolaita Sodo University [33]. The prevalence of IPV reported from these studies reflect the magnitude of the problem in specific regions of the country.…”

Determinants of intimate partner violence against women in Ethiopia: A multi-level analysis

“…In the face of high gender inequalities, IPV poses an increased burden on women's health in Ethiopia. Although the consequences are underexamined in this country, some existing evidence shows its potential for producing severe physical, emotional, and reproductive health problems [7][8][9][10]. Severe consequences of IPV include reduced maternal health care utilization and adverse child health outcomes [10][11][12][13].…”

Intimate partner violence against women and its association with pregnancy loss in Ethiopia: evidence from a national survey

“…The existing evidence regarding the effects of IPV on women’s health in Ethiopia is also limited. Existing studies have found associations between IPV and depression [ 28 – 31 ], psychiatric disorders [ 32 ], risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections [ 27 ] and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) [ 33 , 34 ], unmet need for family planning [ 35 ], unintended pregnancy [ 27 ], and low maternal health service utilization [ 36 , 37 ]. Most of the studies have been conducted in small geographic locations that lack national level representativeness.…”