Intimate partner violence perpetration against main female partners among HIV-positive male injection drug users

J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2007 Nov 1:46 Suppl 2:S101-9. doi: 10.1097/QAI.0b013e31815767e6.

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) against women is a serious public health and social problem and is associated with a host of adverse health outcomes and behaviors, HIV risk behaviors included, among women who are victimized. Historically, research has focused on correlates of IPV victimization among women; thus, there is less information on the role of men in perpetrating IPV, particularly among men at risk for transmitting HIV to their female partners. We assessed the self-reported prevalence and correlates of perpetration and threat of perpetration of physical and/or sexual IPV against a main female partner among 317 HIV-positive men who were current injection drug users (IDUs). More than 40% of men reported perpetrating physical (39%) and/or sexual (4%) violence against their main female partners in the past year. Multivariate analyses revealed that low education, homelessness, psychologic distress, and unprotected sex with main and nonmain HIV-negative female partners were positively associated with IPV perpetration against main female partners. These findings reveal that IPV perpetration is prevalent among HIV-positive male IDUs and associated with sexual HIV transmission risk behaviors. IPV assessment and treatment among HIV-positive men in HIV care is recommended as a way to prevent IPV perpetration and victimization and to reduce potential HIV transmission.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Data Collection / methods
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology*
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control*
  • HIV Infections / transmission
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • Risk-Taking
  • Self Disclosure
  • Sex Offenses / statistics & numerical data*
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous / complications*
  • United States / epidemiology