[procaare] Durban 2000: VCT - Violence and VCT

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Durban 2000: VCT Abstract (2)

'History of partner violence is common among women attending a voluntary counseling testing clinic
in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania'
[TuOrC308]

S. Maman1, J. Mbwambo2, M. Hogan2, G. Kilonzo3, E. Weiss4
-- (1)JHU SHPH Dept International Health, Baltimore, USA, (2,3)Muhimbili Universtiy College of
Health Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, (4)ICRW/Horizons Project, Population Council, USA

Background:
In view of the ever-increasing and overlapping  epidemics of HIV and violence against women in
sub-Saharan Africa,  there is an urgent need for applied research to develop interventions  that
respond to both problems. To examine the intersections between  HIV and violence, a study supported
by Fogarty International  and the Population Council's Horizons Project, was conducted  among female
clients of a voluntary HIV counseling and testing  (VCT) clinic in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Methods:
In phase one, in-depth interviews were conducted with  15 women, 17 men, and 15 couples. In phase
two, 340 female VCT  clients were enrolled immediately after HIV pre-test counseling.  245 of the
enrolled clients (72%) returned for a follow-up survey  interview 3 months after testing and
enrollment. Bivariate and  multivariate analysis has been conducted on the survey data to  identify
predictors of violence.

Results:
Physical abuse as an adult was common for both HIV-positive  and HIV-negative women. Among
HIV-positive women, 54.9% said that  they had had at least one physically abusive partner in their
lifetime as compared to 32.3% of HIV-negative women (p = .001),  and the mean number of physically
abusive partners was higher  for HIV-positive women than HIV-negative women (.63 vs. .38,  p =
.008). HIV-positive women were also significantly more likely  to report a physically violent
episode with their current partner  in the last three months (31% vs. 16.2%, p = .019). Furthermore,
a report of at least one physically abusive partner during a  woman's lifetime was an important
independent predictor of HIV  status. Women who reported at least one physically abusive partner
during their lifetime were 3 times more likely to be HIV-positive  than women with no experience
with physically abusive partners  (p = .006).

Conclusions:
Results suggest that HIV interventions, including  counseling and testing programs, must consider
women's experiences  with violence to prevent new infections and support women living  with
HIV/AIDS.

Presenting author: S. Maman, JHU SHPH Dept International Health, 615  North Wolfe Street Room E7141,
Baltimore MD, United States, Tel.: +1 4104  315 036, Fax: +1 4104 315 036, E-mail: smaman@jhsph.edu

[We invite the authors of this abstract to share their views regarding testing in resource-poor
settings -Mod.]

[*VCT = Voluntary Counselling and Testing]


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