title: The social context of gender-based violence, alcohol use and HIV risk among women involved in high-risk sexual behaviour and their intimate partners in Kampala, Uganda.
abstract: This paper explores the interaction between gender-based violence and alcohol use and their links to vulnerability to HIV-infection in a population of women and their regular male partners in Kampala, Uganda. Data derive from 20 life history interviews (10 women and 10 men). Participants were drawn from a cohort of women at high risk of sexually transmitted infection (including HIV). Six of the women were current or former sex workers. Findings reveal that life histories are characterised by recurrent patterns of gender inequity related to violence, limited livelihood options and socioeconomic disadvantage. Overall, findings suggest women are able to negotiate safer sex and protect themselves better against abuse and violence from clients than from their intimate partners, although the status of men as 'client' or 'partner' is transitory and fluid. Among male respondents, alcohol led to intimate partner violence and high levels of sexual-risk taking, such as engagement with sex workers and reduced condom use. However, male partners are a heterogeneous group, with distinct and contrasting attitudes towards alcohol, condom use and violence. Actions to address gender-based violence need to be multi-pronged in order to respond to different needs and circumstances, of both women and men.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Global Health and Development , London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine , London , UK.
authors.forename: Jasmine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schulkind
authors.affiliation: b Social Science Programme , Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute Uganda Research Unit on AIDS , Entebbe , Uganda.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mbonye
authors.affiliation: a Department of Global Health and Development , London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine , London , UK.
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Watts
authors.affiliation: a Department of Global Health and Development , London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine , London , UK.|b Social Science Programme , Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute Uganda Research Unit on AIDS , Entebbe , Uganda.
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Seeley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D000066511:Intimate Partner Violence / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012309:Risk-Taking; D060386:Sex Workers; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D014454:Uganda
keywords: HIV; Sex workers; Uganda; alcohol; gender-based violence