title: Incidence and correlates of physical violence among HIV-infected women at risk for pregnancy in the southeastern United States.
abstract: To identify the incidence and correlates of physical and sexual violence among HIV-infected women at risk for pregnancy, a cross-sectional examination was conducted within a longitudinal study of reproductive decision making. Participants consisted of 275 HIV-infected women 17 to 49 years of age (mean = 30.1 years). Women were predominantly African American (87%) and single (82%), with annual incomes of $10,000 or less (66%). Overall, 68% of the women reported experiencing lifetime physical and/or sexual violence. Before becoming HIV infected, 65% of the women reported having been physically or sexually abused. After HIV diagnosis, 33% of the women reported experiencing physical or sexual abuse. Women reporting greater violence were more likely to disclose their HIV-seropositive status to their sex partner. Using logistic regression, greater intent to get pregnant (odds ratio [OR] = 0.933), decreased present life satisfaction (OR = 1.048), having three or more children (OR = 0.474), and history of drug use (OR = 0.794) significantly distinguished between women who reported physical and/or sexual violence and those who did not.
authors.affiliation: College of Health and Human Services, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: Richard L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Sowell
authors.forename: Kenneth D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Brenda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Seals
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Murdaugh
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rush
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011203:Poverty; D011594:Psychometrics; D012307:Risk Factors; D015144:Southeastern United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*