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Burger RL, Cohen CR, Mocello AR, Dworkin SL, Frongillo EA, Weke E, Butler LM, Thirumurthy H, Bukusi EA, Weiser SD. Relationship Power, Antiretroviral Adherence, and Physical and Mental Health Among Women Living with HIV in Rural Kenya. AIDS Behav 2023; 27:416-423. [PMID: 36001201 PMCID: PMC9908627 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-022-03775-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Little is known about the association of gender-based power imbalances and health and health behaviors among women with HIV (WWH). We examined cross-sectional baseline data among WWH in a cluster-randomized control trial (NCT02815579) in rural Kenya. We assessed associations between the Sexual Relationship Power Scale (SRPS) and ART adherence, physical and mental health, adjusting for sociodemographic and social factors. SRPS consists of two subscales: relationship control (RC) and decision-making dominance. Women in the highest and middle tertiles for RC had a 7.49 point and 8.88 point greater Medical Outcomes Study-HIV mental health score, and a 0.27 and 0.29 lower odds of depression, respectively, compared to women in the lowest tertile. We did not find associations between SPRS or its subscales and ART adherence. Low sexual relationship power, specifically low RC, may be associated with poor mental health among WWH. Intervention studies aimed to improve RC among WWH should be studied to determine their effect on improving mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel L Burger
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Craig R Cohen
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - A Rain Mocello
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Shari L Dworkin
- School of Nursing and Health Studies, University of Washington, Bothell, WA, USA
| | - Edward A Frongillo
- Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Elly Weke
- Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Lisa M Butler
- Institute for Collaboration on Health, Intervention and Policy, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Harsha Thirumurthy
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Bukusi
- Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Sheri D Weiser
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Bloom BE, Wagman JA, Dunkle K, Fielding-Miller R. Exploring intimate partner violence among pregnant Eswatini women seeking antenatal care: How agency and food security impact violence-related outcomes. Glob Public Health 2022; 17:3465-3475. [PMID: 33242387 PMCID: PMC10484090 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2020.1849347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Women with agency (i.e. the ability to make choices and act on them) may experience reduced food insecurity (FI) and intimate partner violence (IPV). Reducing FI and IPV among women are global goals; however, research focused on agency among Eswatini women has been overlooked, though they experience high rates of FI and IPV. We analysed cross-sectional data from 406 Swazi women who sought care at one rural and one urban-public antenatal clinic in 2013-2014 to understand how FI and agency, our independent variables, are associated with IPV. We assessed the incidence rate ratio (IRR) of number of violent events (including emotional, physical and sexual IPV) in the previous 12 months using Poisson regressions. We found significant relationships between FI and IPV, where higher levels of FI were associated with IPV risk (weekly: IRR = 2.18, 95% CI = 1.82-2.61; Daily: IRR = 3.53, 95% CI = 2.89-4.32) and constrained agency increased women's risk of IPV (IRR = 1.44; 95% CI = 1.22-1.70). Our findings suggest that FI and agency independently impact women's experience(s) of IPV. Interventions focused on women simultaneously experiencing severe FI and constrained agency may have the highest impact; however, providing focused and moderate FI relief (e.g. reducing FI daily to monthly) could potentially reduce women's risk of experiencing violence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittnie E. Bloom
- Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
- Department of Global Public Health and Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer A. Wagman
- Fielding School of Public Health, Department of Community Health Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kristin Dunkle
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Rebecca Fielding-Miller
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
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Onono M, Odwar T, Abuogi L, Owuor K, Helova A, Bukusi E, Turan J, Hampanda K. Effects of Depression, Stigma and Intimate Partner Violence on Postpartum Women's Adherence and Engagement in HIV Care in Kenya. AIDS Behav 2020; 24:1807-1815. [PMID: 31813076 PMCID: PMC7228848 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-019-02750-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
We explored the association between HIV-related stigma and experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV) and depression with viral load suppression, and medication and visit adherence in postpartum women receiving lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) (N = 200). We administered a cross-sectional survey to 200 women with HIV at 12 months postpartum who were enrolled in the MOTIVATE trial. The MOTIVATE study is a cluster-randomized trial evaluating the impact of community mentor mothers and text messaging on PMTCT outcomes in southwestern Kenya. Simple and multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed in STATA. Women who experienced stigma or IPV were more likely to miss clinic visits (internalized stigma aOR 1.30 95%CI 1.03-1.64; anticipated stigma aOR 1.20 95%CI 1.04-1.42; IPV aOR 15.71 95%CI 1.47-167.80), report difficulty taking ART drugs (internalized stigma aOR 1.32 95%CI 1.10-1.58; anticipated stigma aOR 1.14 95%CI 1.01-1.30) and not taking medication as prescribed (IPV aOR 2.00 95%CI 1.05-3.74). Depression was additionally associated with decreased odds of viral load suppression (aOR 0.16 95%CI 0.04-0.76). There is need to develop tailored psychosocial interventions within PMTCT programs that appropriately address mental health, stigma, and violence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maricianah Onono
- Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 19464-00202, Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - Tobias Odwar
- Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 19464-00202, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Lisa Abuogi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
- Center for Global Health, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Kevin Owuor
- Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 19464-00202, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Anna Helova
- Department of Health Care Organization and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Elizabeth Bukusi
- Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 19464-00202, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Janet Turan
- Department of Health Care Organization and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Karen Hampanda
- Center for Global Health, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Community and Behavioral Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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Butler LM, Bhandari S, Otieno P, Weiser SD, Cohen CR, Frongillo EA. Agricultural and Finance Intervention Increased Dietary Intake and Weight of Children Living in HIV-Affected Households in Western Kenya. Curr Dev Nutr 2020; 4:nzaa003. [PMID: 31998859 PMCID: PMC6981349 DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzaa003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We tested whether a multisectoral household agricultural and finance intervention increased the dietary intake and improved the nutritional status of HIV-affected children. Two hospitals in rural Kenya were randomly assigned to be either the intervention or the control arm. The intervention comprised a human-powered water pump, microfinance loan for farm commodities, and training in sustainable farming practices and financial management. In each arm, 100 children (0-59 mo of age) were enrolled from households with HIV-infected adults 18-49 y old. Children were assessed beginning in April 2012 and every 3 mo for 1 y for dietary intake and anthropometry. Children in the intervention arm had a larger increase in weight (β: 0.025 kg/mo, P = 0.030), overall frequency of food consumption (β: 0.610 times · wk-1 · mo-1, P = 0.048), and intakes of staples (β: 0.222, P = 0.024), fruits and vegetables (β: 0.425, P = 0.005), meat (β: 0.074, P < 0.001), and fat (β: 0.057, P = 0.041). Livelihood interventions have potential to improve the nutrition of HIV-affected children. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01548599.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Butler
- Institute for Collaboration on Health, Intervention and Policy, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Shiva Bhandari
- Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | | | - Sheri D Weiser
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Craig R Cohen
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- University of California Global Health Institute, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Edward A Frongillo
- Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
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Ruark A, Green EC, Nunn A, Kennedy C, Adams A, Dlamini-Simelane T, Surkan P. Navigating intimate sexual partnerships in an era of HIV: dimensions of couple relationship quality and satisfaction among adults in Eswatini and linkages to HIV risk. SAHARA J 2019; 16:10-24. [PMID: 30987536 PMCID: PMC6484492 DOI: 10.1080/17290376.2019.1604254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Couple relationship functioning impacts individual health and well-being, including HIV risk, but scant research has focused on emic understandings of relationship quality in African populations. We explored relationship quality and satisfaction in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) using data from 148 in-depth interviews (117 life-course interviews with 28 adults and 31 interviews with 29 marriage counselors and their clients) and 4 focus group discussions. Love, respect, honesty, trust, communication, sexual satisfaction, and sexual faithfulness emerged as the most salient characteristics of good relationships, with both men and women emphasising love and respect as being most important. Participants desired relationships characterised by such qualities but reported relationship threats in the areas of trust, honesty, and sexual faithfulness. The dimensions of relationship quality identified by this study are consistent with research from other contexts, suggesting cross-cultural similarities in conceptions of a good relationship. Some relationship constructs, particularly respect, may be more salient in a Swazi context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison Ruark
- Department of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Edward C. Green
- Anthropology, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Amy Nunn
- Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
- Rhode Island Public Health Institute, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Caitlin Kennedy
- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, International Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alfred Adams
- University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Pamela Surkan
- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, International Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Abuogi L, Hampanda K, Odwar T, Helova A, Odeny T, Onono M, Bukusi E, Turan J. HIV status disclosure patterns and male partner reactions among pregnant women with HIV on lifelong ART in Western Kenya. AIDS Care 2019; 32:858-868. [PMID: 31488026 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2019.1659915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Disclosure of HIV status to sexual partners in the context of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) may contribute to improved PMTCT outcomes. We administered a questionnaire to 200 women with HIV enrolled in a PMTCT study during pregnancy at 12 months after birth in Western Kenya between May-September 2017. Descriptive analysis of disclosure patterns and multivariate analysis of factors associated with male partner reactions is presented. Among 180 (90%) women who reported having a male partner, 95.5% reported disclosing their HIV status to that partner. The majority of women (82.8%) reported disclosure occurred within one year of their diagnosis, with 62.7% occurring within one week. The most common forms of disclosure were: self-disclosure (55.4%), during couple's HIV testing and counseling (CHTC) (31.5%), or at an antenatal care visit (7.7%). Most women (87.5%) reported that male partner reactions to their HIV status disclosure were positive. Those with negative reactions reported their partners were confused, annoyed, or threatened to leave, however there were no reports of intimate partner violence (IPV) or break ups. Disclosure via CHTC was associated with a positive male partner reaction compared to self-disclosure (adjusted OR (aOR) 20.2, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.8-221.4). Those in concordant HIV status partnerships were more likely to have a positive reaction (aOR. 6.7, 95% CI 1.7-26.6). Women experiencing frequent verbal IPV were less likely to report a positive response (aOR 0.21, 95%CI 0.1-0.8). Most postpartum women with HIV in this cohort had disclosed to their male partners early after diagnosis and experienced a positive reaction. However, a minority had still not disclosed by 12 months after the birth and some experienced negative reactions to disclosure. The form of status disclosure and impact of intimate partner violence should be given greater attention within the context of PMTCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Abuogi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Karen Hampanda
- Department of Community and Behavioral Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Tobias Odwar
- Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Anna Helova
- Department of Health Care Organization and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Thomas Odeny
- Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Nairobi, Kenya.,Department of Medicine, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Maricianah Onono
- Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Elizabeth Bukusi
- Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Janet Turan
- Department of Health Care Organization and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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Food insecurity and violence in a prospective cohort of women at risk for or living with HIV in the U.S. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0213365. [PMID: 30840700 PMCID: PMC6402690 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Food insecurity and violence are two major public health issues facing U.S. women. The link between food insecurity and violence has received little attention, particularly regarding the temporal ordering of events. The present study used data from the Women’s Interagency Human Immunodeficiency Virus Study to investigate the longitudinal association of food insecurity and violence in a cohort of women at risk for or living with HIV. Methods Study participants completed six assessments from 2013–16 on food insecurity (operationalized as marginal, low, and very low food security) and violence (sexual or physical, and psychological). We used multi-level logistic regression, controlling for visits (level 1) nested within individuals (level 2), to estimate the association of experiencing violence. Results Among 2,343 women (8,528 visits), we found that victims of sexual or physical violence (odds ratio = 3.10; 95% confidence interval: 1.88, 5.19) and psychological violence (odds ratio = 3.00; 95% confidence interval: 1.67, 5.50) were more likely to report very low food security. The odds of experiencing violence were higher for women with very low food security at both the current and previous visit as compared to only the current visit. HIV status did not modify these associations. Conclusions Food insecurity was strongly associated with violence, and women exposed to persistent food insecurity were even more likely to experience violence. Food programs and policy must consider persistent exposure to food insecurity, and interpersonal harms faced by food insecure women, such as violence.
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Parcesepe AM, Tymejczyk O, Remien R, Gadisa T, Kulkarni SG, Hoffman S, Melaku Z, Elul B, Nash D. Household decision-making power and the mental health and well-being of women initiating antiretroviral treatment in Oromia, Ethiopia. AIDS Care 2018; 30:211-218. [PMID: 28774191 PMCID: PMC5748326 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2017.1360998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Low decision-making power (DMP) has been associated with HIV seropositivity among women in sub-Saharan Africa. As treatment accessibility and life expectancy for HIV-positive individuals increase, greater attention to the mental health and well-being of HIV-positive women is needed. This study examined whether low DMP was associated with psychological distress, social support or health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among women initiating ART. The sample included 722 women aged 18 or older initiating ART during 2012-2013 at six HIV clinics in Oromia, Ethiopia. DMP was assessed with five questions about household resource control and decision-making. Psychological distress was assessed with the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). HRQoL was assessed with the overall subscale of the HIV/AIDS-Targeted Quality of Life instrument. Multivariable logistic regression analyses controlled for age, education, and location (urban/rural). Most respondents (63%) reported high DMP, followed by medium (27%) and low (10%) DMP. More than half (57%) reported psychological distress. Compared to medium DMP, low DMP among married or cohabitating women was associated with greater odds of low social support (aOR: 1.9 [1.3, 2.9]; high DMP among women not in a relationship was associated with greater odds of low social support (aOR: 4.4 [2.4, 8.1]) and psychological distress (aOR: 1.7 [1.1, 2.6]). Interventions to reduce psychological distress among women initiating ART should consider the familial context, as high DMP among women not in a relationship was associated with psychological distress. High DMP may indicate weak social ties and fewer material resources, particularly among women not in a relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela M Parcesepe
- a HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies , Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute , New York , NY , USA
| | - Olga Tymejczyk
- b Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health, City University of New York , New York , NY , USA
- c Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York , New York , NY , USA
| | - Robert Remien
- a HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies , Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute , New York , NY , USA
| | | | - Sarah Gorrell Kulkarni
- b Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health, City University of New York , New York , NY , USA
| | - Susie Hoffman
- a HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies , Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute , New York , NY , USA
- e Department of Epidemiology , Columbia University , New York , NY , USA
| | | | - Batya Elul
- e Department of Epidemiology , Columbia University , New York , NY , USA
| | - Denis Nash
- b Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health, City University of New York , New York , NY , USA
- c Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York , New York , NY , USA
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Conroy AA, Tsai AC, Clark GM, Boum Y, Hatcher AM, Kawuma A, Hunt PW, Martin JN, Bangsberg DR, Weiser SD. Relationship Power and Sexual Violence Among HIV-Positive Women in Rural Uganda. AIDS Behav 2016; 20:2045-53. [PMID: 27052844 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-016-1385-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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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Affiliation(s)
- Amy A Conroy
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, Department of Medicine, University of California - San Francisco, 550 16th Street 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Alexander C Tsai
- Center for Global Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Gina M Clark
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaiser Permanente, San Franscisco, USA
| | - Yap Boum
- Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science & Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Abigail M Hatcher
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Division of HIV/AIDS, Department of Medicine, University of California - San Francisco, San Francisco, USA
| | - Annet Kawuma
- Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science & Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Peter W Hunt
- Division of HIV/AIDS, Department of Medicine, University of California - San Francisco, San Francisco, USA
| | - Jeffrey N Martin
- Department of Epidemiology, University of California - San Francisco, San Francisco, USA
| | - David R Bangsberg
- Center for Global Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard University, Boston, USA
| | - Sheri D Weiser
- Division of HIV/AIDS, Department of Medicine, University of California - San Francisco, San Francisco, USA
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Conroy AA, McGrath N, van Rooyen H, Hosegood V, Johnson MO, Fritz K, Marr A, Ngubane T, Darbes LA. Power and the association with relationship quality in South African couples: Implications for HIV/AIDS interventions. Soc Sci Med 2016; 153:1-11. [PMID: 26859436 PMCID: PMC4788545 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.01.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2015] [Revised: 01/09/2016] [Accepted: 01/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Power imbalances within sexual relationships have significant implications for HIV prevention in sub-Saharan Africa. Little is known about how power influences the quality of a relationship, which could be an important pathway leading to healthy behavior around HIV/AIDS. METHODS This paper uses data from 448 heterosexual couples (896 individuals) in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa who completed baseline surveys from 2012 to 2014 as part of a couples-based HIV intervention trial. Using an actor-partner interdependence perspective, we assessed: (1) how both partners' perceptions of power influences their own (i.e., actor effect) and their partner's reports of relationship quality (i.e., partner effect); and (2) whether these associations differed by gender. We examined three constructs related to power (female power, male equitable gender norms, and shared power) and four domains of relationship quality (intimacy, trust, mutually constructive communication, and conflict). RESULTS For actor effects, shared power was strongly and consistently associated with higher relationship quality across all four domains. The effect of shared power on trust, mutually constructive communication, and conflict were stronger for men than women. The findings for female power and male equitable gender norms were more mixed. Female power was positively associated with women's reports of trust and mutually constructive communication, but negatively associated with intimacy. Male equitable gender norms were positively associated with men's reports of mutually constructive communication. For partner effects, male equitable gender norms were positively associated with women's reports of intimacy and negatively associated with women's reports of conflict. CONCLUSIONS Research and health interventions aiming to improving HIV-related behaviors should consider sources of shared power within couples and potential leverage points for empowerment at the couple level. Efforts solely focused on empowering women should also take the dyadic environment and men's perspectives into account to ensure positive relationship outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy A Conroy
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA.
| | - Nuala McGrath
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Mailpoint 805, South Academic Block, Level C Room AC23, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; Africa Centre for Population Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Mtubatuba, South Africa.
| | - Heidi van Rooyen
- Social, Behavioural and Biomedical Interventions Unit, HIV/AIDS, STIs and Tuberculosis Programme, Human Sciences Research Council, P.O Box 90, Msunduzi 3200, South Africa.
| | - Victoria Hosegood
- Africa Centre for Population Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Mtubatuba, South Africa; Division of Social Statistics and Demography, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK.
| | - Mallory O Johnson
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA.
| | - Katherine Fritz
- Global Health, International Center for Research on Women, 1120 20th Street NW, Suite 500 North, Washington, D.C., USA.
| | - Alexander Marr
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA.
| | - Thulani Ngubane
- Social, Behavioural and Biomedical Interventions Unit, HIV/AIDS, STIs and Tuberculosis Programme, Human Sciences Research Council, P.O Box 90, Msunduzi 3200, South Africa.
| | - Lynae A Darbes
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA.
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Cohen CR, Steinfeld RL, Weke E, Bukusi EA, Hatcher AM, Shiboski S, Rheingans R, Scow KM, Butler LM, Otieno P, Dworkin SL, Weiser SD. Shamba Maisha: Pilot agricultural intervention for food security and HIV health outcomes in Kenya: design, methods, baseline results and process evaluation of a cluster-randomized controlled trial. SPRINGERPLUS 2015; 4:122. [PMID: 25992307 PMCID: PMC4429425 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-015-0886-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2014] [Accepted: 02/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite advances in treatment of people living with HIV, morbidity and mortality remains unacceptably high in sub-Saharan Africa, largely due to parallel epidemics of poverty and food insecurity. METHODS/DESIGN We conducted a pilot cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a multisectoral agricultural and microfinance intervention (entitled Shamba Maisha) designed to improve food security, household wealth, HIV clinical outcomes and women's empowerment. The intervention was carried out at two HIV clinics in Kenya, one randomized to the intervention arm and one to the control arm. HIV-infected patients >18 years, on antiretroviral therapy, with moderate/severe food insecurity and/or body mass index (BMI) <18.5, and access to land and surface water were eligible for enrollment. The intervention included: 1) a microfinance loan (~$150) to purchase the farming commodities, 2) a micro-irrigation pump, seeds, and fertilizer, and 3) trainings in sustainable agricultural practices and financial literacy. Enrollment of 140 participants took four months, and the screening-to-enrollment ratio was similar between arms. We followed participants for 12 months and conducted structured questionnaires. We also conducted a process evaluation with participants and stakeholders 3-5 months after study start and at study end. DISCUSSION Baseline results revealed that participants at the two sites were similar in age, gender and marital status. A greater proportion of participants at the intervention site had a low BMI in comparison to participants at the control site (18% vs. 7%, p = 0.054). While median CD4 count was similar between arms, a greater proportion of participants enrolled at the intervention arm had a detectable HIV viral load compared with control participants (49% vs. 28%, respectively, p < 0.010). Process evaluation findings suggested that Shamba Maisha had high acceptability in recruitment, delivered strong agricultural and financial training, and led to labor saving due to use of the water pump. Implementation challenges included participant concerns about repaying loans, agricultural challenges due to weather patterns, and a challenging partnership with the microfinance institution. We expect the results from this pilot study to provide useful data on the impacts of livelihood interventions and will help in the design of a definitive cluster RCT. TRIAL REGISTRATION This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01548599.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig R Cohen
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, 550 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA ; Center of Expertise in Women's Health & Empowerment, University of California Global Health Institute, San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Rachel L Steinfeld
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, 550 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Elly Weke
- Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Elizabeth A Bukusi
- Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Abigail M Hatcher
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, 550 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA ; Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Stephen Shiboski
- Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Richard Rheingans
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Kate M Scow
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Microbial Biology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA USA
| | - Lisa M Butler
- Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Phelgona Otieno
- Centre for Clinical Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Shari L Dworkin
- Departments of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA USA ; Center of Expertise in Women's Health & Empowerment, University of California Global Health Institute, San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Sheri D Weiser
- Departments of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA USA ; Center of Expertise in Women's Health & Empowerment, University of California Global Health Institute, San Francisco, CA USA
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Baylor A, Muzoora C, Bwana M, Kembabazi A, Haberer JE, Matthews LT, Tsai AC, Hunt PW, Martin JN, Bangsberg DR. Dissemination of research findings to research participants living with HIV in rural Uganda: challenges and rewards. PLoS Med 2013; 10:e1001397. [PMID: 23472055 PMCID: PMC3589331 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1001397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
David Bangsberg and colleagues explore the challenges and rewards of sharing research findings with participants living with HIV enrolled in observational research in rural sub-Saharan Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Baylor
- Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Global Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Conrad Muzoora
- Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Mwebsa Bwana
- Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Annet Kembabazi
- Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Jessica E. Haberer
- Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Global Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Lynn T. Matthews
- Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Global Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Alexander C. Tsai
- Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Global Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Peter W. Hunt
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey N. Martin
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - David R. Bangsberg
- Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Global Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard School of Public Health, Department of Global Health and Populations, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Hatcher AM, Tsai AC, Kumbakumba E, Dworkin SL, Hunt PW, Martin JN, Clark G, Bangsberg DR, Weiser SD. Sexual relationship power and depression among HIV-infected women in Rural Uganda. PLoS One 2012; 7:e49821. [PMID: 23300519 PMCID: PMC3530575 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0049821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2012] [Accepted: 10/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Depression is associated with increased HIV transmission risk, increased morbidity, and higher risk of HIV-related death among HIV-infected women. Low sexual relationship power also contributes to HIV risk, but there is limited understanding of how it relates to mental health among HIV-infected women. Methods Participants were 270 HIV-infected women from the Uganda AIDS Rural Treatment Outcomes study, a prospective cohort of individuals initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Mbarara, Uganda. Our primary predictor was baseline sexual relationship power as measured by the Sexual Relationship Power Scale (SRPS). The primary outcome was depression severity, measured with the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL), and a secondary outcome was a functional scale for mental health status (MHS). Adjusted models controlled for socio-demographic factors, CD4 count, alcohol and tobacco use, baseline WHO stage 4 disease, social support, and duration of ART. Results The mean HSCL score was 1.34 and 23.7% of participants had HSCL scores consistent with probable depression (HSCL>1.75). Compared to participants with low SRPS scores, individuals with both moderate (coefficient b = −0.21; 95%CI, −0.36 to −0.07) and high power (b = −0.21; 95%CI, −0.36 to −0.06) reported decreased depressive symptomology. High SRPS scores halved the likelihood of women meeting criteria for probable depression (adjusted odds ratio = 0.44; 95%CI, 0.20 to 0.93). In lagged models, low SRPS predicted subsequent depression severity, but depression did not predict subsequent changes in SPRS. Results were similar for MHS, with lagged models showing SRPS predicts subsequent mental health, but not visa versa. Both Decision-Making Dominance and Relationship Control subscales of SRPS were associated with depression symptom severity. Conclusions HIV-infected women with high sexual relationship power had lower depression and higher mental health status than women with low power. Interventions to improve equity in decision-making and control within dyadic partnerships are critical to prevent HIV transmission and to optimize mental health of HIV-infected women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail M Hatcher
- Division of HIV/AIDS, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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