Citation

Tsuyuki K, Cimino AN, Holliday CN, Campbell JC, Al-Alusi NA, Stockman JK. Curr. HIV/AIDS Rep. 2019; 16(1): 57-65.

Affiliation

Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0507, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0507, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Current Science)

DOI

10.1007/s11904-019-00435-8

PMID

30762216

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This theoretical review identifies physiological mechanisms by which violence against women (VAW) may increase women's susceptibility to HIV through trauma, stress, and immune dysfunction. RECENT FINDINGS: Research documents systemic and local immune responses are related to stress and trauma from abuse across the life course (i.e., childhood, IPV, adulthood re-victimization).

FINDINGS are interpreted within a theoretical framework grounded in the Social Stress Theory and the concept of toxic stress, and highlight the current state of the science connecting: (1) VAW to the physiological stress response and immune dysfunction, and (2) the physiological stress response and inflammation to HIV susceptibility and infection in the female reproductive tract. Despite a dearth of research in human subjects, evidence suggests that VAW plays a significant role in creating a physiological environment conducive to HIV infection. We conclude with a discussion of promising future steps for this line of research.

Language: en

Keywords

HIV; Immune dysfunction; Physiological stress response; Trauma; Violence against women