Abstract
BackgroundIntimate partner violence (IPV) during the perinatal period and when one is HIV-positive is a great concern because of the physical and mental impacts it has on health and on adherence to prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) services. However, factors associated with IPV amongst perinatal women on PMTCT services are not adequately explored in Malawi. The aim of this study was to estimate the various types of IPV and the associated factors amongst HIV-positive pregnant and postnatal women in selected health centres in Blantyre district.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, we recruited 200 HIV-positive women from antenatal, postnatal and antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinics from four selected primary care facilities of Blantyre district. Data were collected between March and May 2018.ResultsA total of 50% of the participants reported to have experienced either physical, psychological or sexual violence from their partner in the last 12 months. The multivariate logistic regression model showed that feelings about safety of the relationship and depression were the only factors that were consistently associated with IPV in the last 12 months (p = 0.001, Pseudo R2 = 0.20).ConclusionThe presence of depression and safety concerns amongst our study participants calls for serious prioritisation of psychological interventions and risk assessment in the management of HIV-positive perinatal mothers who report IPV cases.
Highlights
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is of great concern from a human rights perspective and from economic and health perspectives.[1]
Our research demonstrates that depression and safety issues are major problems that perinatal mothers who are HIV-positive encounter and points to what can be learned about the changing dynamics in the variables that really matter with regard to our understanding of IPV
One limitation of our study is that it was a crosssectional study, as such we cannot confirm the direction of influence between IPV and the associated factors
Summary
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is of great concern from a human rights perspective and from economic and health perspectives.[1]. Non-adherence to PMTCT programme occurs at all stages of the ante-, peri- and post-natal period[18] and not all pregnant HIV-positive women receive ART treatment.[19] A review of literature by United Nations International Children and Emergency Fund (UNICEF) revealed that PMTCT coverage is estimated at 65% in 21 African countries. This means that close to a third of HIVpositive women are uncovered and not all mothers on medication adhere to it.[20]. The aim of this study was to estimate the various types of IPV and the associated factors amongst HIV-positive pregnant and postnatal women in selected health centres in Blantyre district
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