Intimate partner violence among HIV-positive service users of a tertiary care and treatment facility in Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: There have been growing concerns of intimate partner violence (IPV) in people living with HIV (PLHIV). The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and predictors of IPV in PLHIV. Material and methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study carried out in Enugu State, Southeast Nigeria, among 360 PLHIV receiving care in a tertiary hospital. A systematic sampling method was used to select participants during clinic visits, and data was collected using a pretested questionnaire adapted from Nigerian demographic and health survey. Responses were based on incidents, which had occurred within a period of twelve months prior to the day of interview. P -values of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of respondents was 35 ± 5 years. One hundred and eighty-nine (52.5%) respondents had experienced a form of IPV in the last 12 months preceding the study. Being female and having a partner who uses illicit drugs or alcohol were found to be predictors of IPV (AOR = 2.251, 95% CI: 1.438-3.522) and (AOR = 1.467, 95% CI: 0.301-0.725), respectively. Conclusions: Prevalence of IPV was high in respondents in this study and in light of these findings, there is need to facilitate IPV screening, counseling, and improve patient awareness of IPV in routine management of PLHIV in care and treatment facilities in Nigeria.