Interventions to address HIV and intimate partner violence in Sub-Saharan Africa: a review of the literature

Abstract

HIV and intimate partner violence (IPV) are commonly co-occurring epidemics affecting the health of women globally and especially in sub-Saharan Africa. There is a need for interventions that address both HIV and IPV in health care settings. Our review examined recent literature for intervention studies that explored both HIV and IPV. Of the nine interventions identified, only two were set in health care settings; the remainder were community based. Large multifaceted community-based interventions showed promise in the areas of addressing social norms in order to empower women. Educational interventions have shown short-term improvements in HIV-related knowledge and behavioral intention. Further research is needed to examine brief screening, intervention, and referral for HIV and IPV services within health care settings. Health care-specific interventions such as use of preexposure and postexposure prophylaxis to prevent HIV transmission must also be studied in the context of IPV.