Intimate Partner Violence and HIV Risk among Women in Primary Health Care Delivery Services in a South African Setting

The aim of the study is to investigate intimate partner violence (IPV) and HIV risk among antenatal care attendees at primary care health care facilities in a South African setting. A convenient sample of 984 pregnant women (mean age of 26.1 years, SD=6.3 years) attending 35 antenatal clinics were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Collected data was captured and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Services (SPSS) Version 16 computer programme. Proportions of HIV risk and IPV were assessed. Odds of IPV were estimated using logistic regression analysis. Results indicate high rates of intimate partner violence and HIV risk: 14% of the women had experienced physical partner violence in the past 12 months, 14% reported a history of having an STI in the past 12 months, 6.7% had consistently (every time) used a condom with their primary partner in the past three months, and 70.1% reported knowing that their primary partners placed them at risk for HIV transmission, 78.6% were worried that they might already have or in the future get HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Logistic regression found that the variables not cohabitating, having two or more sexual partners in the past 12 months, having a history of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and partner alcohol abuse were associated with intimate partner violence.