Marseille 2007
| Abstract #612 - Do partner violence and risk perception influence voluntary HIV testing in women?A community study from South India | ||||
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Session: 49.3: Late Breakers (Parallel) on Wednesday @ 08.30-10.30 in HC Chaired by Bruno Spire, Kate Hankins Authors: Presenting Author: Prof PRABHA S. CHANDRA - NIMHANS, India |
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| Additional Authors: Ms Veena A.S., Dr Linda Cottler, Dr Krishna Vaddiparti, Ms Catina Callahan, Dr Vivek Benegal, | ||||
| Aim: Objectives- To assess whether ongoing spousal violence or HIV risk perception influence voluntary HIV testing among women in an urban slum in South India. | ||||
| Method / Issue: Methodology - This study is part of an HIV preventive intervention in a slum community, among wives of problem alcohol users. The study is funded by the World AIDS Foundation (Grant No. 326 03-052) and is a collaboration between Washington University, USA and National Institute of Mental Health And Neuro Sciences, India. Hundred women, who were considered at risk for HIV infection because of their husbands substance use, were offered voluntary testing for HIV within the health centre in the community. The subjects were assessed for substance use in self and spouse, sexual risk behaviour, mental health and partner violence using standard questionnaires after informed consent. Analysis focused on assessing factors that were associated with consenting or not consenting for voluntary, confidential HIV testing. | ||||
| Results / Comments: Results - The average age of the women was 30 years and the average duration of marriage was 12 years. Of the 100 women, 42 consented for HIV testing following the pre test counseling. 23 (23%) reported risk behaviour in spouse, 45 (45%) partner violence and 50 % perceived that they had some chance of an HIV infection with only 6 % reporting high chances (> 50 %). Only one woman reported risk behaviour in self while only two reported using alcohol. | ||||
| Discussion: Discussion-Analysis of factors associated with not consenting or consenting for voluntary HIV testing did not reveal the frequency of partner violence, risk in spouse or perceived risk as being significantly different between the two groups. Frequency of the nature of partner violence (emotional vs. physical or sexual) also was not different between the two groups. Factors determining whether or not women at risk, get tested for HIV, when offered in the community appear to be complex and not related to any of the obvious reasons. Stigma and confidentiality may be factors that are more important than risk perception. Factors such as culturally accepted patterns of decision making (always consulting spouse and family) may also be influencing factors in India. The study findings have important implications for testing policies and practices in low income monogamous women in India. | ||||
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