Women, Violence, and HIV: A Critical Evaluation with Implications for HIV Services

Objective: Violence is highly prevalent among women with HIV. Determining whether HIV is causally related to violence, and whether risk for violence is increased by certain HIV prevention practices, has been difficult. Methods: We review recent literature concerning (1) violence and HIV serostatus, including the risk for violence associated with disclosure of a positive serostatus, and (2) violence associated with requests that male sex partners use condoms. Results: Studies suggest that women with or at risk for HIV come from populations that are also at risk for violence. Violence is not statistically increased among HIV-infected women compared to demographically and behaviorally similar uninfected women. However, for a small proportion of women, violence may occur around disclosure or in response to condom negotiation. Conclusions: Integrating violence screening and referral into HIV services could help many women obtain the assistance they need while minimizing the risk for violence that may be associated with partner notification or condom requests.