Sexual violence and the risk of HIV infection among VCT users in South Wollo zone, ANRS.

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2009-12

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Introduction: sexual violence is one form of gender based violence which is the most silent epidemic; affect the health and life of women in the world. Because women have much less control over decision making, as a result of low status, and have less access to health and social services they are more vulnerable for violence and the risk of HIV infection. As a result of this gander based violence and HIV infection are the two most important factors which affect the health and wellbeing of women globally. Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the relationship between sexual violence and HIV infection among VCT user women in South Wollo Zone. Methods and Materials: A facility based cross sectional study was conducted using quantitative methods on a sample of 800 people living in seven selected districts of VCT centers of the south Wollo. Result: The quantitative study reveled that the prevalence of life time sexual violence, life time partner violence, and last 12 month partner violence was 34.6%. 32.3 and 10.5 % respectively. The prevalence of HIV among VCT users is 21.5%. Violence is significantly associated with the risk of HIV infection (life time sexual violence OR= 1.95, 95% CI =1.33- 2.86), last 12 month intimate partner violence (OR= 2.55, 95% CI=1.5- 4.33). Conclusion: The prevalence of sexual violence and the risk of HIV infection is higher among illiterate women. Therefore, women empowerment is an important tool to reduce both sexual violence and HIV/AIDS, which are the major public health problem.

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Sexual violence and the risk of HIV infection

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