Women, Violence, and HIV: A Critical Evaluation with Implications for HIV Services

• NCJ Number: 204508
• Journal: Maternal and Child Health Journal Volume: 4 Issue: 2 Dated: June 2000 Pages: 103-109
• Author(s): Linda J. Koenig; Jan Moore
• Editor(s): Milton Kotelchuck Ph.D.
• Date Published: June 2000
• Length: 7 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the relationship between HIV and violence, specific to violence against women through a review of literature regarding the association of violence and HIV serostatus, including the risk for violence associated with disclosure of a positive HIV status and the risk of violence associated with requests that male sex partners use condoms.

Abstract

As of June 1999, women accounted for 16.3 percent of all persons ever reported with AIDS in the United States and 23 percent of persons with AIDS in the most recent reporting year. The proportion of AIDS cases among women attributable to heterosexual contact has increased steadily from about 15 percent in 1983 to 40 percent in 1999. Concerns about the association between HIV and violence have been sparked by studies reporting that violence is highly prevalent in HIV-infected women. This study reviews recent literature concerning violence and HIV serostatus, including the risk for violence associated with disclosure of a positive serostatus and violence associated with requests that male sex partners use condoms. Surveys of HIV-infected individuals suggest that disclosure-related violence affects a small but important proportion of women. To some extent, current numbers may underestimate women’s risk given the possible failure to disclose among some women at high risk for violence or the lack of knowledge about other types of HIV-triggered violence experienced over-time. In addition, evidence suggests that, for most women, fear of partner violence is not a substantial barrier to condom negotiation, and most women do not experience abuse when they introduce condoms. It is clear that risk is high for the population of women who access HIV services. Integrating violence screening and referral into HIV services could help many women obtain the assistance they need while minimizing the risk for violence that may be associated with partner notification or condom requests. References