Intimate Partner Violence and HIV Status among Ever-Married and Cohabiting Zimbabwean Women: An Examination of Partners’ Traits

Loren Henderson, Assata Zerai, Rebecca L. Morrow

Abstract

This study examines the connection between intimate partner violence (IPV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus status among
married and cohabitating women in Zimbabwe using an African feminist framework. Stata 13.0 was used to analyze data from
the 2010-2011 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey, which used a national probability sample of households in the
country of Zimbabwe. This study used logistic regression to analyze the 2,830 ever-married or cohabitating women who also
answered the violence and spousal traits questionnaire as well as provided blood samples. The logistic regression revealed that
women who had experienced any type of intimate partner violence (odds ratio=1.29, CI [1.00, 1.67]) or broken bones (odds
ratio=2.39, CI [1.19, 4.77]) were more likely to be HIV positive; relative to those with bruises bruises (odds ratio=- .64 CI [.41,
.99]) were less likely. Women with partners who are trackers (odds ratio=1.28, CI [1.04, 1.59]) were more likely to be HIV
positive. Patriarchal, hypermasculist culture, shown through violence against women, contributes to the likelihood of HIV in
wives and partners. A cultural shift at the highest levels may help to prevent IPV and reduce the spread of HIV. (Afr J Reprod
Health 2017; 21[4]:45-54).

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