What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to assess the prevalence of intimate partner violence among HIV patients and evaluate the impact of an intervention.

March 21, 2026Open Access

Burden of intimate partner violence (IPV) among persons living with HIV and AIDS in Kumasi, Ghana

Key Points

This research aims to assess the prevalence of intimate partner violence among HIV patients and evaluate the impact of an intervention.
Quasi-experimental non-randomized pre-post intervention design
Engaged 281 HIV clients at Old Tafo and Manhyia government hospitals
Analyzed quantitative data using binary logistic regression
Conducted thematic content analysis for qualitative data
Self-reported IPV incidence increased from 8.77% at baseline to 38% at endline.
IPV was reported more frequently among females (77%) than males (23%).
Attitudes toward IPV improved, with 100% opposition to hitting for infidelity at endline.
HIV patients feeling unsafe at home were fifty-eight times more likely to experience IPV.

Abstract

Minimal evidence exists on population-based prevalence and risk factors for intimate partner violence (IPV) among HIV patients in Ghana and the extent to which simplified interventions could yield reduction in IPV perpetuation among HIV positive clients. This study explored the prevalence and awareness of IPVs among individuals living with HIV/AIDs in the Ashanti Region, Ghana. A quasi-experimental non-randomized pre-post intervention design with an embedded mixed method approach was adopted to engage 281 HIV clients at Old Tafo and Manhyia government hospitals. Quantitative data was analyzed descriptively and inferentially using a binary logistic regression with the results presented in tables using frequencies and percentages. Thematic content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. Self-reported IPV incidence among HIV clients increased from 10 (8.77%) at the baseline to 38 (38.00%) at the endline demonstrating a reported IPV incidence rather than reduced IPV incidence. Among the 38 participants who reported IPV at the endline, IPV was higher among females 29 (77%) than among males 9(23%). There was also a noticeable change in attitudes towards IPV, with 157 (95.73%) at baseline and 100% at endline. Respondents opposed hitting a wife for infidelity and further expressed an increased willingness to report cases of abuse. Among those unwilling to report an abusive partner, the main reason was fear of breaking up the family. HIV patients who did not feel safe at home were fifty-eight times more likely to experience IPV (aOR = 58.55; 95%CI = 2.09-1640.91) than those who felt safe at home. The findings highlight the utility of an intervention to yield positive unintended outcome by creating greater awareness of IPV among HIV positive clients, facilitating improved agency and autonomy thereby increase disclosure of IPV incidence among studied population. We recommend the need for integrating routine IPV screening and staff training on confidential counselling support in HIV clinics. This will to facilitate ease of IPV disclosure and timely provision of support services to address the fear of reporting abusive partners.

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