Abstract
BackgroundIntimate partner violence (IPV) affects more than one in three women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It is associated with both pregnancy and HIV, adversely affecting women in this region. This is the first systematic examination of the effects of IPV on HIV-positive (HIV+) pregnant women in SSA.MethodsA systematic review of the literature on HIV+ pregnant women experiencing IPV in SSA was carried out. Searches were carried out in PubMed, Web of Science and African Journals Online databases. Articles published between January 2010 and June 2020, in English, were included. Data extraction included details on study locations, study design, study participants and the study outcome variables (depression, IPV, medication adherence, postpartum unsafe sex, and HIV disclosure).ResultsFourteen studies (ten cross-sectional studies, four cohort studies) were included. Results indicate a high prevalence of IPV amongst pregnant women with HIV in SSA (18.0 to 63.1%). The results suggest an association between HIV-positive status and consequences of IPV during pregnancy, particularly mental health effects, such as depression symptoms and suicidal ideation. HIV-related stigma has a key role within the relationship between HIV and IPV during pregnancy. One study described that the presence of IPV reduces adherence to Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT) medication. Three studies reported no association between HIV positive status or HIV status disclosure and IPV during pregnancy.Discussion/conclusionsThe systematic review confirms interconnections between IPV and HIV seropositivity amongst pregnant women in SSA. Importantly, stigma, social isolation and poor mental health hinder help-seeking, disclosure, and treatment adherence among HIV+ pregnant women exposed to IPV in SSA. As a result, the potential of community interventions to tackle issues associated with IPV in HIV-positive pregnant women in this area should be explored in research, policy, and practice.
Highlights
Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects more than one in three women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
The findings suggest that interactions between partner disclosure, Prevention of MotherTo-Child Transmission (PMTCT) uptake, and relationship control are key in understanding the association between Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and IPV during pregnancy [50, 57]
IPV exposure in HIV+ pregnant women has detrimental effects on maternal mental health especially, as there is a high prevalence of depression and suicidal ideation in this population
Summary
Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects more than one in three women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It is associated with both pregnancy and HIV, adversely affecting women in this region. This is the first systematic examination of the effects of IPV on HIV-positive (HIV+) pregnant women in SSA. The most common form is intimate partner violence (IPV), with 1 in 3 women, globally, In the WHO Africa region, the estimated prevalence of HIV of 36.6% (95% CI = 32.7-40.5%) is higher than the rate in high-income countries of 23.2% (95% CI = 20.226.2%) [6]. The review focuses on SSA due to the high prevalence of IPV, high prevalence of HIV seropositivity, shared risk factors for IPV and HIV and the substantial lack of literature on IPV in this region
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
