Intimate Partner Violence And Risk Of Hiv Among Women In Nigeria.

ABSTRACT

Intimate partner violence occurs between two people in an intimate relationship. Couples

may be dating, cohabiting or married and violence can occur in or outside of the home.

Intimate partner violence is the major form of violence among women and it is rampant

among young women. Research has proven that there is association between violence

especially among intimate partners and HIV. Though there is widespread awareness of HIV

there is still misunderstanding of how it is spread and risk factors responsible for the

transmission of HIV. HIV is an important epidemic that affects the reproductive health of

persons. Women have been since to have higher rate of HIV.

Secondary data were used from National HIV & AIDS and Reproductive health survey

(NARHS plus II, 2012) .The study was a cross-sectional one focusing on women aged 15 -

49 in Nigeria, who were drawn from sampled households in all the 36 states and the federal

capital territory (FCT). Primary data were gathered from in-depth interviews to

complement the secondary data. All women in sexual unions were part of the study

population. It was found that that marital status, occupation, religion, age, age at first sex,

refusal of sex with partner, and other form of violence were good indicators of HIV

infection. Most women who were HIV positive did not use condoms with their spouse. The

research also showed a strong relationship between violence and the women's HIV status.

Policies that fight against violence should be implemented and policies that encourage HIV testing should be promoted.