430Predictors of Intimate Partner Violence amongst WLWHA and HIV negative women in Umuahia
Abstract Background Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is the range of sexually, psychologically and physically coercive acts used against adult and adolescent women by a current or former male partner. IPV is the commonest form of violence against women and one of the most pervasive human rights abuses against women. The UN reported that 1 in 3 women had experienced physical/sexual violence at some point in their lives and 2 in 3 victims of intimate partner homicide are women. This study is aimed at determining the predictors of IPV amongst WLWHA and HIV negative women in Umuahia, Nigeria. Methods A comparative cross-sectional study involving 200 WLWHA and 200 HIV negative women in Umuahia using systematic random sampling method. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was deployed for data collection. Data analysis was done using IBM SPSS. Results Predictors of IPV amongst WLWHA included partner involvement in concurrent relationship and having childhood exposure to domestic violence while those amongst HIV negative women included coerced first sex, woman earning more than her partner, partner frequent use of alcohol and partner use of either or both cigarette and marijuana. Conclusion Predictors of IPV differed amongst both groups of women. Primary prevention interventions aimed at prevention and reduction should be instituted especially amongst WLWHA. Health care settings should be equipped to ensure a comprehensive response whenever IPV is detected. Keywords Intimate Partner Violence, Predictors, WLWHA.