Intimate partner violence and associated factors among women on ART service at public health facilities in West shoa Zone Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is defined as is behavior within an intimate relationship that results in or is likely to result in physical, sexual or emotional harm to an individual. Intimate partner violence in its various forms increase HIV exposure in female victims and potentially jeopardizes the HIV treatment cascade for instance, by impeding engagement in and adherence to care. It is more common among marginalized individuals including women affected by HIV. However, there is limited information regarding this problem among HIV-Positive Women in Ethiopia. However, the level to which Human Immuno Deficiency virus sero-positive women are experiencing recent intimate partner violence and its associated factors have not been well investigated as the majority of the study done so far were focused on the study of lifetime violence and violence among women in the general population. Objectives: To assess the prevalence of intimate partner violence and associated factors among women on Anti-retro viral therapy (ART) services; in West shoa Zone Oromia, Ethiopia.2023. Methods: A cross-sectional facility based mixed method study was conducted from January 1- September, 2023, among 394 women on ART service in West Shoa Zone,Oromia Ethiopia. A systematic random sampling technique and purposive sampling were used to select quantitative and participants, respectively. Quantitative data were collected using a pre-tested and structured face-to-face interview questionnaire, and a focus group discussion was used for the qualitative study. The collected data were entered using Epidata 4.4.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 24. Descriptive statistics and bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis were done for quantitative data. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were presented at a p value <0.05. A thematic analysis was conducted for qualitative analysis. Results: The prevalence of current intimate partner violence among HIV-positive women was 59% (95%CI:45-64%).Physical violence was the most common type (45.7%).Intimate partner violence among HIV positive women was associated with women’s age 35-44,(AOR=5.33, IX 95%CI:1.32-5.48), partner drink alcohol (AOR=2.6 95%CI:1.48,4.62),partner cigarette smoke (AOR=2.42 95%CI:1.26,4.62), have no formal education of respodents (AOR=0.39,95%CI:0.7- 088), partners/husband srefusedtousecondom(AOR=4.46(2.39,7.83),Anti-retroviral interruption(AOR=4.51(95%CI:2.38,8.54),discloseHIVstatus(AOR=10.795%CI:6.02,19.12).The participants in the focus group discussion approve that their culture approves men’s superiority; they accept intimate partner violence as part of their lives.But also“Faced pressure against taking medication, restriction of movement, and the unwillingness of their husbands to use condoms. Physical and emotional violence were also the main findings observed from the qualitative data.” Conclusion: All forms of IPV were widely prevalent in the study area, with physical violence being the leading type, followed by psychological and sexual violence. Being in the age group 45-49 years, alcohol drinking and cigarette smoking status, no formal education of the respondent, partner/husband refused to use condom, Anti- retroviral interruption, and disclose HIV-status were significantly associated with intimate partner violence. The promotion of women's education and IPV sensitization through the dissemination of pertinent information are two specific protective measures that could raise women's and their communities' awareness of the effects of various forms of IPV and help shift gender-inequitable social norms, beliefs, and practices.