Magnitude of intimate partner violence and its associated factors among HIV-positive women attending health facilities in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND

Worldwide, over one in three women have experienced intimate partner violence; among women who have been diagnosed as positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the number is significantly greater due to the detrimental effects of this virus. Despite its serious consequences, there is limited comprehensive data on IPV among HIV-positive women in Ethiopia. Thus, this review aimed to find out the pooled prevalence and associated factors of IPV in this group.

METHODS

For this review, searches were conducted from October 1, 2024, to November 2, 2024, using Google Scholar, Medline, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and other institutional repositories. A standardized data extraction checklist with three data extractors and STATA version 17 was utilized for data extraction and analysis, respectively. The heterogeneity of the studies was checked using the Cochrane Q test statistics and I2 statistics. A random-effects model was utilized to assess the pooled prevalence of intimate partner violence. An odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was used to assess the association between intimate partner violence and independent factors. Egger's test and a funnel plot were employed to evaluate publication bias. Subgroup analysis was carried out based on publication years and study setting.

RESULTS

This systematic review and meta-analysis included 2704 study participants from seven studies. As identified from the current systematic review and meta-analysis, the pooled prevalence of intimate partner violence among women living with HIV was 51.45% (95% CI 44.05, 58.85). Having multiple partners (OR = 2.12, 95% CI 1.40, 2.84), women experiencing controlling behavior by a partners (OR = 5.95, 95% CI 3.56, 8.35), partners who drink alcohol (OR = 2.23, 95% CI 1.45, 3.01), and partners involved in a physical fight with another man (OR = 2.02, 95% CI 1.10, 2.94) were identified as factors.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: This review found that one in two HIV-positive women in Ethiopia experienced intimate partner violence, raising concerns about the increased risk of viral transmission. Factors identified included women having multiple partners, controlling behavior by partners, partner alcohol use, and partners involved in physical fights. Stakeholders should address the identified risk factors to reduce intimate partner violence among HIV-positive women. Integrating IPV screening into HIV care, training healthcare workers, and promoting community education are helpful.