Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. We conducted a prospective cohort study to test the hypothesis that intimate partner violence IPV is associated with unprotected sex in HIV-positive female sex workers in Mombasa, Kenya. Women completed monthly visits and quarterly examinations.
Unprotected sex with any partner was measured by self-report and prostate specific antigen PSA test. Recent IPV was associated with significantly higher risk of unprotected sex adjusted relative risk [aRR] 1. Gender based violence GBV is a health and human rights problem, and an important barrier to an effective response to the HIV pandemic [ 1 , 2 ].
Intimate partner violence IPV , which can include physical, sexual, and emotional violence by a regular partner, is the most common form of GBV in women [ 3 ].
Negative outcomes associated with IPV include depression [ 6 ], substance use disorders [ 7 ], sexual risk behaviors [ 8 ], unintended pregnancy [ 9 ], and HIV infection [ 10 , 11 ]. Intimate partner violence may result in higher risk of HIV acquisition through reduced sexual relationship power, less ability or motivation to negotiate condoms, or increased substance use, which leads to more frequent unprotected sex with any sexual partner [ 12 β 14 ].
Intimate partner violence may persist following HIV serocoversion [ 15 ], and represent an important and ongoing risk factor for unprotected sex in HIV-positive women. In Africa, female sex workers FSWs are a key population that is disproportionately affected by violence [ 16 , 17 ], substance use problems [ 18 ], and HIV [ 19 β 21 ].
