Citation

Ramachandran S, Yonas MA, Silvestre AJ, Burke JG. AIDS Care 2010; 22(12): 1536-1543.

Affiliation

Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/09540121.2010.482199

PMID

20924830

PMCID

PMC3005966

Abstract

While the intersection of HIV/AIDS and intimate partner violence (IPV) has gained increased attention, little focus has been given to the relationship among minority men and men who have sex with men (MSM). This pilot study, conducted at an urban clinic, explores the IPV experiences of HIV-positive persons involved in both heterosexual and homosexual relationships. Fifty-six HIV-positive individuals were interviewed to assess for verbal, physical, and sexual IPV, and for HIV-related abuse and attitudes regarding routine IPV screening. Approximately three quarters (73%) of the sample reported lifetime IPV and 20% reported current abuse. Physical IPV (85%) was cited the most by abused participants. IPV rates were highest among African-Americans and MSM. More than one-fourth (29%) of those abused felt the abuse was related to their HIV status. A majority of participants favored IPV screening by providers, but felt it might increase risk of IPV. IPV and its association to HIV are significant issues among this sample. Findings support the need for developing new programs that address these epidemics simultaneously.

Language: en