Abstract
Objective
To determine the prevalence, types and correlates of intimate partner violence (IPV) in pregnant Nigerian living with HIV.
Design
Cross sectional study.
Population
HIV positive pregnant women.
Setting
A large HIV comprehensive treatment centre.
Methods
A cross sectional study of 652 HIV positive pregnant Nigerians seen at Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria over a 24 months period.
Main outcome measures
Prevalence of intimate partner violence after HIV diagnosis.
Results
Among the women interviewed, 423 (65.8%) reported abuse. In 74.0% of abused women, the abuse started after HIV diagnosis. Though having a HIV negative spouse and disclosure of HIV status were associated with abuse, only having a HIV negative partner retained its association with IPV (OR 3.1; CI 2.4–5.3) after controlling for confounding variables. Sixty-two (9.6%) women have not disclosed their HIV status because of fear of rejection. Verbal abuse (51.7%), threat of violence in 97 (22.9%) and sexual deprivation in 91 (21.5%) were the common forms of abuse reported.
Conclusion
IPV is common among HIV positive pregnant Nigerians; with a threefold increased risk in women in HIV serodiscordant relationship.
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Ezechi, O.C., Gab-Okafor, C., Onwujekwe, D.I. et al. Intimate partner violence and correlates in pregnant HIV positive Nigerians. Arch Gynecol Obstet 280, 745–752 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-009-0956-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-009-0956-9