Are women's experiences of emotional and economic intimate partner violence associated with HIV-risk behaviour? A cross-sectional analysis of young women in informal settlements in South Africa

AIDS Care. 2019 Jun;31(6):667-674. doi: 10.1080/09540121.2018.1533230. Epub 2018 Nov 9.

Abstract

Women's experiences of emotional intimate partner violence (IPV) and economic IPV are rarely considered in research on women's HIV-risk. Using cross-sectional data of young women (18-30) in Durban, South Africa, we assessed whether women's experiences of emotional IPV and economic IPV were independently associated with six HIV-risk behaviours. Amongst 680 women enrolled between September 2015 and September 2016, past year emotional IPV (78.1%) and economic IPV (52.2%) were common. In adjusted logistic regressions, women reporting past year emotional IPV were less likely to report condom use at last sex, and those reporting past year economic IPV were more likely to report transactional sex with a main partner, or casual partner. Overlaps between economic IPV and transactional sex, suggests economic IPV may be part of male economic coercion of women. Association between emotional IPV and condom use suggests complex inter-personal and psychodynamic relationships shape condom use.

Keywords: Intimate partner violence; economic coercion; informal settlements; psychological abuse; young women.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology*
  • HIV Infections / psychology
  • Humans
  • Income / statistics & numerical data*
  • Intimate Partner Violence / psychology*
  • Intimate Partner Violence / statistics & numerical data
  • Male
  • Risk Factors
  • Risk-Taking
  • Sexual Partners / psychology*
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • South Africa / epidemiology
  • Young Adult