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Lived experience of intimate partner violence among women using antiretroviral therapy and other outpatient services in Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia: A phenomenological study
Mengistu Meskele
Wolaita Sodo University
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6157-4591
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
View the published version at Reproductive Health.
Background: Ethiopia is one of the nations which has an enormous burden of intimate partner violence (IPV), and where it is usually difficult to talk about HIV separately from IPV.
Objectives: This research aimed to explore the lived experience of IPV against women using antiretroviral therapy (ART) and other outpatient services in Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia
Methods: We used an Interpretive (hermeneutic) Phenomenological Analysis design among purposively selected adult women aged 18-49 years. A total of 43 women participated in this study, of whom 30 were using ART, and 13 women were using other health services. We used an in-depth interview and focus group discussions until data saturation, while conscious of the need to maintain the scientific rigor, dependability, and credibility. The data were transcribed verbatim and translated into English. We read the transcripts repeatedly to understand the content. We used NVivo 11 software to assist with data organisation, and also, we used the framework analysis method.
Results: We identified five themes, namely: “women's terrifying experiences of violence,” “the effect of violence on women's health,” “support/lack of support /partner’s controlling behaviours,” “women’s feelings about the available services,” and “IPV prevention strategies from the perspective of women.” Interviewees described their violent experiences which included wife-beating, being stigmatised in front of others, having material thrown at the woman’s face, wife’s hand and teeth were broken, forced sex, restriction of movement, name-calling, threats to hurt, being insulted, being left alone, and the withdrawal of finances. The negative health impacts reported included abortion, infection with HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, disability, child’s death, and depression. The disclosure of HIV test information resulted in violence. Inappropriate punishment of the perpetrator and the lack of a supportive women’s network to avert IPV were perceived as legal limitations
Conclusions: IPV is a considerable health burden, varying in its presentation and its negative impact on women’s health. Improved laws should provide justice for all victims. Establishing a women’s network to assist women at risk of violence, should be emphasised. Unwise HIV test result disclosure leads to IPV; hence HIV disclosure should be facilitated through health care providers.
Keywords
Intimate partner violence, phenomenology, HIV, Wolaita, Ethiopia
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CURRENT STATUS: Published
Version 3
Posted 10 Aug, 2020
Published
On 01 Feb, 2021
No community comments so far
Editorial decision: Accept
On 15 Aug, 2020
Editor assigned
On 03 Aug, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 02 Aug, 2020
Editor invited
On 02 Aug, 2020
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Accept but Needs Editing
On 31 Jul, 2020
Editor assigned
On 15 Jul, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 14 Jul, 2020
Editor invited
On 14 Jul, 2020
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Major revision
On 26 May, 2020
Review #2 received
Received 08 May, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 08 May, 2020
Reviewer #3 agreed
On 24 Apr, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 17 Apr, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 03 Mar, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 03 Mar, 2020
Editor assigned
On 19 Feb, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 18 Feb, 2020
Editor invited
On 18 Feb, 2020
First submitted
On 13 Feb, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
Subject Areas
Sexual & Reproductive Medicine
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This preprint is under consideration at Reproductive Health. A preprint is a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research
Lived experience of intimate partner violence among women using antiretroviral therapy and other outpatient services in Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia: A phenomenological study
Mengistu Meskele
Wolaita Sodo University
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6157-4591
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Published
Version 3
Posted 10 Aug, 2020
Published
On 01 Feb, 2021
No community comments so far
Editorial decision: Accept
On 15 Aug, 2020
Editor assigned
On 03 Aug, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 02 Aug, 2020
Editor invited
On 02 Aug, 2020
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Accept but Needs Editing
On 31 Jul, 2020
Editor assigned
On 15 Jul, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 14 Jul, 2020
Editor invited
On 14 Jul, 2020
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Major revision
On 26 May, 2020
Review #2 received
Received 08 May, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 08 May, 2020
Reviewer #3 agreed
On 24 Apr, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 17 Apr, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 03 Mar, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 03 Mar, 2020
Editor assigned
On 19 Feb, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 18 Feb, 2020
Editor invited
On 18 Feb, 2020
First submitted
On 13 Feb, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
Subject Areas
Sexual & Reproductive Medicine
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
View the published version at Reproductive Health.
Background: Ethiopia is one of the nations which has an enormous burden of intimate partner violence (IPV), and where it is usually difficult to talk about HIV separately from IPV.
Objectives: This research aimed to explore the lived experience of IPV against women using antiretroviral therapy (ART) and other outpatient services in Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia
Methods: We used an Interpretive (hermeneutic) Phenomenological Analysis design among purposively selected adult women aged 18-49 years. A total of 43 women participated in this study, of whom 30 were using ART, and 13 women were using other health services. We used an in-depth interview and focus group discussions until data saturation, while conscious of the need to maintain the scientific rigor, dependability, and credibility. The data were transcribed verbatim and translated into English. We read the transcripts repeatedly to understand the content. We used NVivo 11 software to assist with data organisation, and also, we used the framework analysis method.
Results: We identified five themes, namely: “women's terrifying experiences of violence,” “the effect of violence on women's health,” “support/lack of support /partner’s controlling behaviours,” “women’s feelings about the available services,” and “IPV prevention strategies from the perspective of women.” Interviewees described their violent experiences which included wife-beating, being stigmatised in front of others, having material thrown at the woman’s face, wife’s hand and teeth were broken, forced sex, restriction of movement, name-calling, threats to hurt, being insulted, being left alone, and the withdrawal of finances. The negative health impacts reported included abortion, infection with HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, disability, child’s death, and depression. The disclosure of HIV test information resulted in violence. Inappropriate punishment of the perpetrator and the lack of a supportive women’s network to avert IPV were perceived as legal limitations
Conclusions: IPV is a considerable health burden, varying in its presentation and its negative impact on women’s health. Improved laws should provide justice for all victims. Establishing a women’s network to assist women at risk of violence, should be emphasised. Unwise HIV test result disclosure leads to IPV; hence HIV disclosure should be facilitated through health care providers.