Citation

Koenig LJ, Whitaker DJ, Royce RA, Wilson TE, Callahan MR, Fernandez MI. Am. J. Public Health 2002; 92(3): 367-370.

Affiliation

Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Mail Stop E-06, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, American Public Health Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

11867312

PMCID

PMC1447081

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study estimated the prevalence of violence during pregnancy in relation to HIV infection. METHODS: Violence, current partnerships, and HIV risk behaviors were assessed among 336 HIV-seropositive and 298 HIV-seronegative at-risk pregnant women. RESULTS: Overall, 8.9% of women experienced recent violence; 21.5% currently had abusive partners. Violence was experienced by women in all partnership categories (range = 3.8% with nonabusive partners to 53.6% with physically abusive partners). Neither experiencing violence nor having an abusive partner differed by serostatus. Receiving an HIV diagnosis prenatally did not increase risk. Disclosure-related violence occurred, but was rare. CONCLUSIONS: Many HIV-infected pregnant women experience violence, but it is not typically attributable to their serostatus. Prenatal services should incorporate screening and counseling for all women at risk for violence.