Lived experience of intimate partner violence among women using antiretroviral therapy and other outpatient services in Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia: A phenomenological study
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.
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Posted 10 Aug, 2020
On 01 Feb, 2021
On 15 Aug, 2020
On 03 Aug, 2020
On 02 Aug, 2020
On 02 Aug, 2020
On 31 Jul, 2020
On 15 Jul, 2020
On 14 Jul, 2020
On 14 Jul, 2020
On 26 May, 2020
Received 08 May, 2020
Received 08 May, 2020
On 24 Apr, 2020
On 17 Apr, 2020
Invitations sent on 03 Mar, 2020
On 03 Mar, 2020
On 19 Feb, 2020
On 18 Feb, 2020
On 18 Feb, 2020
On 13 Feb, 2020
Lived experience of intimate partner violence among women using antiretroviral therapy and other outpatient services in Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia: A phenomenological study
Posted 10 Aug, 2020
On 01 Feb, 2021
On 15 Aug, 2020
On 03 Aug, 2020
On 02 Aug, 2020
On 02 Aug, 2020
On 31 Jul, 2020
On 15 Jul, 2020
On 14 Jul, 2020
On 14 Jul, 2020
On 26 May, 2020
Received 08 May, 2020
Received 08 May, 2020
On 24 Apr, 2020
On 17 Apr, 2020
Invitations sent on 03 Mar, 2020
On 03 Mar, 2020
On 19 Feb, 2020
On 18 Feb, 2020
On 18 Feb, 2020
On 13 Feb, 2020
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.