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AIDS and Behavior
Published in: AIDS and Behavior 9/2016

01-09-2016 | Original Paper

Relationship Power and Sexual Violence Among HIV-Positive Women in Rural Uganda

Authors: Amy A. Conroy, Alexander C. Tsai, Gina M. Clark, Yap Boum, Abigail M. Hatcher, Annet Kawuma, Peter W. Hunt, Jeffrey N. Martin, David R. Bangsberg, Sheri D. Weiser

Published in: AIDS and Behavior | Issue 9/2016

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Abstract

Gender-based power imbalances place women at significant risk for sexual violence, however, little research has examined this association among women living with HIV/AIDS. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of relationship power and sexual violence among HIV-positive women on anti-retroviral therapy in rural Uganda. Relationship power was measured using the Sexual Relationship Power Scale (SRPS), a validated measure consisting of two subscales: relationship control (RC) and decision-making dominance. We used multivariable logistic regression to test for associations between the SRPS and two dependent variables: recent forced sex and transactional sex. Higher relationship power (full SRPS) was associated with reduced odds of forced sex (AOR = 0.24; 95 % CI 0.07–0.80; p = 0.020). The association between higher relationship power and transactional sex was strong and in the expected direction, but not statistically significant (AOR = 0.47; 95 % CI 0.18–1.22; p = 0.119). Higher RC was associated with reduced odds of both forced sex (AOR = 0.18; 95 % CI 0.06–0.59; p < 0.01) and transactional sex (AOR = 0.38; 95 % CI 0.15–0.99; p = 0.048). Violence prevention interventions with HIV-positive women should consider approaches that increase women’s power in their relationships.
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Metadata
Title
Relationship Power and Sexual Violence Among HIV-Positive Women in Rural Uganda
Authors
Amy A. Conroy
Alexander C. Tsai
Gina M. Clark
Yap Boum
Abigail M. Hatcher
Annet Kawuma
Peter W. Hunt
Jeffrey N. Martin
David R. Bangsberg
Sheri D. Weiser
Publication date
01-09-2016
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
AIDS and Behavior / Issue 9/2016
Print ISSN: 1090-7165
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3254
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-016-1385-y

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