Citation

Ezechi OC, Gab-Okafor C, Onwujekwe DI, Adu RA, Amadi E, Herbertson E. Arch. Gynecol. Obstet. 2009; 280(5): 745-752.

Affiliation

Sexual and Reproductive Health Unit, Clinical Sciences Division, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria, oezechi@yahoo.co.uk.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00404-009-0956-9

PMID

19242706

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.

Language: en