Mapping the evidence of intimate partner violence among women living with HIV/AIDS in Africa: a scoping review protocol

IntroductionAmong women living with HIV, intimate partner violence (IPV) is increasingly recognised worldwide as a serious public health concern. The understanding of the link between IPV and HIV is currently inconclusive and information concerning the IPV experiences of HIV-infected women is insufficient. This protocol aims to map evidence of IPV against women living with HIV/AIDS in Africa.Methods and analysisWe will search and review peer-reviewed and review articles. The comprehensive search will include the electronic databases PubMed, MEDLINE with full text via EBSCO host, Google Scholar, Science Direct and Scopus. The advanced search will use MeSH terms. Grey literature will also be included. The titles of the studies from the database searches will be screened, and duplicates will be removed. The abstract screening will be done independently by two reviewers, followed by the full-text screening which will be based on the eligibility criteria. The six methodological stages in this review will be to: identify the research questions; identify relevant studies; select the studies; chart the data; collate, summarise and report the results; and thereafter undertake consultations. The quality of studies included in the review will be determined by the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. NVIVO software V.11 will be used to undertake a thematic analysis of each of the studies and to extract the relevant outcomes.DisseminationThe results of this study will be disseminated through publication, and presented at conferences related to IPV.Scoping review registrationCurrently, a scoping review is not eligible for registration on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews.

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Mapping the evidence of intimate partner violence among women living with HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041326 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. e041326

Author(s):

Mengistu Meskele ◽

Nelisiwe Khuzwayo ◽

Myra Taylor

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Women Living With Hiv ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Living With Hiv ◽

Hiv Aids

ObjectivesThe present study undertakes a scoping review aimed to map the evidence of intimate partner violence (IPV) against women living with HIV/AIDS in Africa.DesignWe used the online database to identify papers published from 1 January 2009 to 1 April 2019, from which we selected 21 articles from Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Zambia, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Tanzania and Swaziland that used IPV as an outcome variable among women living with HIV/AIDS.Data sourcesPubMed, MEDLINE, EBSCO host, Google Scholar.Eligibility criteriaWe included women who were aged 15 years and above, living with HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.Data extraction and synthesisWe conducted the abstract screening with two independent reviewers. We also performed full-text screening. We used the six methodological frameworks proposed by Arksey and O'Malley. The Mixed Method Appraisal Tool was used to determine the quality of the studies. We used NVIVO software V.12 to undertake a thematic analysis.ResultsOf the studies, the majority, 57.1%, reported cross-sectional results. In comparison, 23.8% examined qualitative studies, 9.5% were clinical trials, 4.8% were cohort studies and the remaining 4.8% covered grey literature. This review revealed evidence of IPV experience among women with HIV/AIDS, evidence of how HIV status disclosure influences IPV, proof of the association of sociodemographic characteristics with IPV and implications for practice. Moreover, the review revealed that following the serostatus disclosure, there is evidence of heightened risk for IPV.ConclusionsThis study found evidence of IPV among women living with HIV/AIDS. The HIV-positive women were at considerable risk of IPV after disclosure of their serostatus to a male partner. Therefore, further research is needed to promote action to reduce IPV among HIV-positive and HIV-negative women and to determine healthcare workers’ IPV screening experience.

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Coping strategies available for women living with HIV/AIDS experiencing intimate partner violence in the Singida region, Tanzania

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20211966 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (6) ◽

pp. 2658

Author(s):

Agnes L. Kosia ◽

Gasto Frumence ◽

Tumaini Nyamhanga ◽

Ave Maria Semakafu ◽

Deodatus Kakoko

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Support Groups ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Coping Mechanisms ◽

Major Public Health Problem ◽

Women Living With Hiv ◽

Living With Hiv ◽

Hiv Aids

Background: Intimate partner violence is a major public health problem in Tanzania, yet little is known about the coping strategies among women living with HIV/AIDS who experiencing IPV. The objective of the study was to explore the coping strategies employed by women living with HIV/AIDS experiencing IPV who attended care and treatment services in the Singida region.Methods: A qualitative phenomenology study design was performed in which data were collected through in-depth interviews with 35 women living with HIV/AIDS who also experienced IPV. Content analysis was used to analyse the data.Results: We found that women living with HIV/AIDS experienced IPV used family members, such as their mothers, sisters, and brothers as a coping mechanism to express their pains. Spiritual leaders counselled them spiritually and psychologically and they were advised on how to live with their violent partners. Other coping mechanisms included reporting to the police and the legal system, and the use of support groups. Through support groups, they obtained relief from depression, loneliness, isolation, stigma and discrimination.Conclusions: This study concludes that coping mechanisms helped women living with HIV/AIDS to reduce the stress associated with HIV/AIDS and intimate partner violence. The government of Tanzania should strengthen policies related to IPV and HIV/AIDS among all women in Tanzania. Moreover, local government authorities should build safe homes for all survivors of intimate partner violence throughout the country.

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Safety Strategies for Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence During the COVID-19 Pandemic: a Scoping Review Protocol

10.21203/rs.3.rs-654912/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Zoe Tipa ◽

Te Wai Barbarich-Unasa ◽

Shyamala Nada-Raja ◽

Jane Koziol-McLain

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

New Zealand ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Full Text ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Process Data ◽

Study Results ◽

Safety Strategies

Abstract IntroductionThe health and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic evident internationally are mirrored in New Zealand.1With reports of escalating Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), there is a need for services supporting women and families to adapt to the changing COVID-19 environment. An interactive, individualised web-based safety-decision aid called isafe is being redeveloped to reflect these changes across Aotearoa New Zealand. Due to the social distancing requirements and fluidity of COVID-19 alert levels, safety strategies supporting women experiencing IPV need to align with the latest evidence within the context of COVID-19. This scoping review is designed to identify the range of extant safety strategies for women experiencing IPV suggested as effective during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methodology and method We will follow the scoping review methodology framework proposed by Johanna Briggs Institute (JBI),2 originally developed by Arksey and O’Malley3 and further refined by Levac4. The search strategy includes all study designs, and editorials and grey literature. Two reviewers will screen each article title and abstract against inclusion and exclusion criteria before independently screening the full text of eligible articles. Grey literature will be searched using existing websites and organisations that provide links to resources focussed on family violence (Table 1). Culturally informed strategies supporting Māori women and their whānau (family) will be specifically identified within the full text screening process. Data will be analysed using qualitative narrative synthesis to consider the strategies and their application to the New Zealand context. This will inform the development of isafe to support women experiencing violence during COVID-19 and beyond.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval was not required for this study. Results will be used to inform a future study in which key stakeholder groups will evaluate the usability of isafe in preparation for deployment. Findings of this review will be published in journals and validated with stakeholders connected with the isafe project.

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Intimate partner violence and challenges facing women living with HIV/AIDS in accessing antiretroviral treatment at Singida Regional Hospital, central Tanzania

Global Health Action ◽

10.3402/gha.v9.32307 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 32307 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Agnes Kosia ◽

Deodatus Kakoko ◽

Ave Maria Emilius Semakafu ◽

Tumaini Nyamhanga ◽

Gasto Frumence

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Antiretroviral Treatment ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Regional Hospital ◽

Women Living With Hiv ◽

Living With Hiv ◽

Hiv Aids

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Patterns and Correlates of Intimate Partner Violence to Women Living With HIV/AIDS in Osogbo, Southwest Nigeria

Violence Against Women ◽

10.1177/1077801215594889 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 21 (11) ◽

pp. 1330-1340 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Samuel A. Olowookere ◽

Olufunmilayo I. Fawole ◽

Daniel A. Adekanle ◽

Najemdeen A. Adeleke ◽

Emmanuel A. Abioye-Kuteyi

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Women Living With Hiv ◽

Southwest Nigeria ◽

Living With Hiv ◽

Hiv Aids

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Social support and intimate partner violence among women with HIV/AIDS

Social Work and Social Sciences Review ◽

10.1921/swssr.v18i1.848 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 52-66

Author(s):

Yasoda Sharma ◽

Vijayan Pillai

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Social Work Students ◽

The United States ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Women Living With Hiv ◽

Aids Diagnosis ◽

Living With Hiv ◽

Hiv Aids

This study examines the relationships between Social Support and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) among women living with HIV/AIDS. During the fall of 2011, women living with HIV/AIDS and receiving services from AIDS Outreach Center located in the southwestern part of the United States were recruited to participate in a study through the purposive sampling method. They were asked to complete surveys about their HIV/AIDS diagnosis, the level of IPV experienced, and their level of social support. Sixty-four women completed the Revised Conflict Tactic Scale (Straus et al., 1996), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (Zimet et al., 1988), and a HIV/AIDS Questionnaire. The majority (51.6%) of the research participants were African-Americans with a mean age of 46 years. Many women in the study were separated/divorced (34.4%); 29.7 % were married and 12.5% were cohabiting. Social support (β = -.206, p<.05) significantly predicted severity of emotional violence experienced by women living with HIV/AIDS.. This research emphasizes on the importance of teaching social work students about the co-occurrence of IPV and HIV/AIDS.

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A Qualitative Study With Women Living With HIV on Perceived Gender Norms and Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence in Northern Vietnam

Journal of Interpersonal Violence ◽

10.1177/0886260517724834 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 35 (23-24) ◽

pp. 5905-5925 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Rebecca B. Hershow ◽

Madhura Bhadra ◽

Nguyen Vu Tuyet Mai ◽

Teerada Sripaipan ◽

Tran Viet Ha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Marital Conflict ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Gender Norms ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Northern Vietnam ◽

Women Living With Hiv ◽

High Urgency ◽

Living With Hiv

Although the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) in Southeast Asia is one of the highest in the world, IPV remains understudied in the region, especially among women living with HIV (WLWH). This study aims to understand how gender and violence norms influence how WLWH interpret and prioritize violence as a health issue. We also explore whether HIV disclosure was seen as a trigger for IPV. We conducted in-depth interviews with 20 WLWH (median age = 35.5 years; range = 28-54 years) in northern Vietnam. Participants were recruited from an outpatient antiretroviral treatment (ART) clinic. Semi-structured interviews were transcribed, translated, and analyzed to identify themes using a gender-focused theoretical framework. Twelve participants reported experiencing IPV by their current or former husbands, most of which occurred before their HIV diagnoses. Only one participant felt her HIV status was a factor for the IPV she experienced; the remaining participants did not explicitly link IPV and HIV. None expressed fear or experience of IPV after disclosing to their husbands. When asked about a woman’s role in society, the majority spoke about the responsibility to build family harmony by doing housework, raising children, making a steady income, and being faithful to her husband. Participants viewed marital conflict as the woman’s problem to avoid by acting docile or to resolve peacefully by bearing violence quietly. Almost all reported contracting HIV from their husbands. Regardless of whether their children were infected ( n = 8) or not ( n = 10), participants spoke about being compelled to initiate and adhere to ART to care for their children emotionally and financially. In the context of Vietnamese gender norms, participants expressed low urgency for help-seeking after experiencing IPV and high urgency for help-seeking after being diagnosed with HIV. Multilevel interventions are needed to shift social norms around acceptability of IPV.

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Intimate Partner Violence, Depression, and Quality of Life among Women Living with HIV/AIDS in a Coastal City of South India

Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (JIAPAC) ◽

10.1177/2325957417691137 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 16 (5) ◽

pp. 455-459 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Basavaprabhu Achchappa ◽

Mahak Bhandary ◽

Bhaskaran Unnikrishnan ◽

John T. Ramapuram ◽

Vaman Kulkarni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Socioeconomic Status ◽

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Marital Status ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Cd4 Counts ◽

Women Living With Hiv ◽

Living With Hiv

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a severe form of abuse prevalent in urban and rural areas of India with its effects on mental and physical health of the person receiving it, leading to a poorer quality of life. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 99 women living with HIV, and information was collected using abuse assessment scale. The data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 17.0. Results: The IPV was reported by 19.2% of the respondents, of which psychological (14.1%) was most common followed by physical (4.1%) and sexual abuse (1.0%). The experience of IPV was significantly associated with socioeconomic status, number of children, marital status, and CD4 counts of the participants. Conclusion: The prevalence of IPV in our study was found to be less compared to previous studies, however, there were significant association among factors such as socioeconomic status, CD4 counts, and marital status of the participants.

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