Abstract
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a risk factor for non-adherence to HIV treatment for women, however the evidence on the impact of IPV on uptake of the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) cascade is inconclusive. We examined data from 433 HIV positive pregnant women in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, enrolled between April 2013 and August 2014 and followed-up through 6 weeks postpartum. Participants were asked about their IPV experiences in a face-to-face interview at enrollment. Measures of PMTCT cascade included: uptake of clinical appointments and services, viral suppression, and adherence to antiretrovirals (ARV). Approximately half of the sample (51%) had experienced some form of IPV; 35% had experienced emotional abuse, 29% physical abuse, and 19% sexual abuse. There were no statistically significant associations between experiencing any form of IPV and uptake of clinical appointments and services (Adjusted Prevalence Ratio [aPR] = 1.02; 95% [CI]: 0.89–1.17), viral load suppression (aPR = 1.07, 95% CI:0.96–1.19) and ARV adherence (aPR = 1.01, 95% CI: 0.87–1.18). Findings from this study indicate that, among HIV-infected pregnant women enrolled in PMTCT care, experiencing IPV does not reduce adherence to clinic visits and services, adherence to ARV. The high prevalence of IPV in this population suggests that IPV screening and intervention should be included as part of standard care for PMTCT.
Highlights
Prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) is an essential component of global strategies to reduce pediatric HIV infection [1]
Similar to findings for PMTCT service uptake, Intimate partner violence (IPV) experience was not significantly associated with viral suppression
IPV was highly common in a sample of pregnant women living with HIV in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Summary
The aim of the present study was to explore whether emotional, physical, or sexual violence differentially impact uptake of PMTCT clinical appointments and services, viral suppression, and ARV adherence among HIV infected pregnant women
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