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Magni S, Hatcher A, Gibbs A, Wamoyi J, Dunkle K, Christofides N. Pathways to transactional sex among peri-urban South African women: the role of relationship control, food insecurity and alcohol misuse. AIDS Care 2024; 36:179-186. [PMID: 38334776 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2024.2307385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Transactional sex increases sub-Saharan African women's risk of HIV acquisition. We quantitatively explored the pathways contributing towards women's future engagement in transactional sex with casual partners and khwapheni (secret concurrent sex partners). We conducted secondary data analysis from a cluster randomised controlled trial in urban informal settlements in eThekwini Municipality., South Africa. Data were collected at enrolment (t0) and 24 months' later (t2) using self-completed questionnaires. Structural equation modelling (SEM) assessed pathways leading to transactional sex over two years. 677 women 18-35 years were enrolled and 80.5% (n = 545) were followed up. At t2, 44.6% of respondents reported transactional sex with a casual partner or khwapheni. The SEM demonstrated a small effect (d = 0.23) between transactional sex at t0 and at t2. Controlling for past transactional sex, main partner relationship control had a large effect size on future transactional sex (d = 0.60). Hazardous drinking had a medium effect size (d = 0.45) and food insecurity a small effect (d = 0.24), (RMSEA 0.03, 90%CI 0.02-0.04; CFI 0.97; TLI 0.96). HIV prevention programming should highlight current transactional sex but also address structural issues predicting future transactional sex, including food insecurity and alcohol misuse. Gender transformative interventions to reduce controlling behaviours in main relationships are worth investigating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Magni
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Genesis Analytics, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Abigail Hatcher
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Andrew Gibbs
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
- Centre for Rural Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
- Institute of Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Joyce Wamoyi
- Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health, National Institute for Medical Research, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Kristin Dunkle
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Nicola Christofides
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Clark CJ, Bergenfeld I, Shervinskie A, Johnson ER, Cheong YF, Kaslow NJ, Yount KM. Validity of a common measure of intimate partner violence perpetration: Impact on study inference in trials in low- and middle-income countries. SSM Popul Health 2024; 26:101683. [PMID: 38868551 PMCID: PMC11167388 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2024.101683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Background In lower-and middle-income countries (LMICs), studies of interventions to reduce intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration are expanding yet measurement equivalence of the construct has not been established. We assessed the measurement equivalence of physical and sexual IPV perpetration used in recent trials in LMICs and tested the impact of non-invariance on trial inference. Methods With data from three recent intervention trials among men (sample size 505-1537 across studies), we calculated tetrachoric correlations among items and used multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis to assess invariance across arms and over time. We also assessed treatment effects adjusting for covariate imbalance and using inverse probability to treatment weights to assess concordance of invariant measures with published results, where warranted. Findings The average correlation among items was high and increased over time with several items in two studies showing correlations ≥0.85 at endline. Increases in correlation for physical IPV were concentrated in the treatment arm in two of the studies. The increase in correlation in sexual IPV differed by arm across studies. Across all studies, a correlated two-factor solution was the best fitting model according to the EFAs and CFAs. One study demonstrated measurement invariance across arms and over time. In two of the studies, longitudinal measurement non-invariance was detected in the intervention arms. In post hoc testing, one study attained invariance with a one-factor model and study inference was concordant with published findings. The other study did not attain even partial invariance. Conclusion Common measures of physical and sexual IPV perpetration cannot be used for valid effect estimation without further refinement. The study highlights the need for an expanded item set, content validity assessments, further measurement invariance testing, and then consistent use of the item sets in future intervention trials to support accurate inference on the effectiveness of IPV perpetration prevention interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cari Jo Clark
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, USA
| | - Irina Bergenfeld
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, USA
| | - Abbie Shervinskie
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, USA
| | - Erin R. Johnson
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, USA
| | | | - Nadine J. Kaslow
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, USA
| | - Kathryn M. Yount
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, USA
- Department of Sociology, Emory University, USA
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Miller AP, Dean SS, Court L, Mvududu R, Mashele N, Wara NJ, Myer L, Shoptaw S, Davey DLJ. "So that's why I found PrEP to be safest way to protect yourself": exploring IPV experiences and impact on HIV prevention among pregnant and postpartum women in Cape Town, South Africa. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:481. [PMID: 38360616 PMCID: PMC10870618 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-17871-w] [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] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Intimate partner violence (IPV) occurs at alarmingly high rates towards pregnant women in South Africa. Experiences of emotional, physical, and sexual IPV in pregnancy can adversely impact the health and safety of mother and fetus. Furthermore, IPV is associated with increased risk of HIV, exacerbating the public health impact of violence among pregnant women in this HIV endemic setting. In-depth understanding of cultural and contextual drivers of experiences of IPV is a critical precursor to development of interventions effectively addressing this issue among pregnant women in South Africa. The present study examines factors contributing to IPV among pregnant women to identify potential points of intervention. We conducted twenty in-depth interviews with postpartum women who used oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in pregnancy and reported recent experiences of IPV and/or ongoing alcohol use in a township near Cape Town, South Africa that experiences a heavy burden of both HIV and IPV. Interpretive thematic analysis was used. Several patterns of IPV during pregnancy were identified and violence was frequently described as co-occurring with male partner alcohol use. A majority of women referenced oral PrEP as their preferred method for HIV prevention, highlighting the agency and discretion it provided as beneficial attributes for women experiencing IPV. Fear of judgement from peers for remaining with an abusive partner and a lack of clear community messaging around IPV were identified as barriers to disclosure and support-seeking. Addressing the lack of social support received by women experiencing IPV during pregnancy in South Africa is essential to comprehensive IPV programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda P Miller
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | - Sarah Schoetz Dean
- Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lara Court
- Division of Socio-behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Rufaro Mvududu
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nyiko Mashele
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nafisa J Wara
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Landon Myer
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Steven Shoptaw
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Dvora L Joseph Davey
- Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Clark CJ, Bergenfeld I, Shervinskie A, Johnson ER, Cheong YF, Kaslow NJ, Yount KM. Validity of a Common Measure of Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration: Impact on Study Inference in Trials in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.01.28.24301897. [PMID: 38352606 PMCID: PMC10862994 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.28.24301897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Background In lower-and middle-income countries (LMICs), studies of interventions to reduce intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration are expanding, yet measurement equivalence of the IPV perpetration construct that is the primary outcome in these investigations has not been established. We assessed the measurement equivalence of physical and sexual IPV perpetration item sets used in recent trials in LMICs and tested the impact of non-invariance on trial inference. Methods With data from three intervention trials among men (sample size 505-1537 across studies) completed in 2019, we calculated tetrachoric correlations among items and used multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis to assess invariance across arms and over time. We also assessed treatment effects adjusting for covariate imbalance and using inverse probability to treatment weights to assess concordance of invariant measures with published results, where warranted. Findings The average correlation among items measuring IPV perpetration was high and increased by 0.03 to 0.15 for physical IPV and 0.07 to 0.17 for sexual IPV over time with several items in two studies showing correlations ≥ 0.85 at endline. Increases in the degree of correlation for physical IPV were concentrated in the treatment arm in two of the studies. The increase in correlation in sexual IPV differed by arm across studies. Across all studies, a correlated two-factor solution was the best fitting model according to the EFAs and CFAs. One study demonstrated measurement invariance across arms and over time. In two of the studies, longitudinal measurement non-invariance was detected in the intervention arms. In post hoc testing, one study attained invariance with a one-factor model and study inference was concordant with published findings. The other study did not attain even partial invariance. Conclusion Common measures of physical and sexual IPV perpetration cannot be used validly for comparisons across treatment versus control groups over time without further refinement. The study highlights the need for an expanded item set, content validity assessments, further measurement invariance testing, and then consistent use of the item sets in future intervention trials to ensure valid inferences regarding the effectiveness of IPV perpetration prevention interventions within and across trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cari Jo Clark
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University
| | - Irina Bergenfeld
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University
| | - Abbie Shervinskie
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University
| | - Erin R. Johnson
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University
| | | | - Nadine J. Kaslow
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine
| | - Kathryn M Yount
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University
- Department of Sociology, Emory University
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Oyekunle V, Gibbs A, Tomita A. Assessing the role of depression in reducing intimate partner violence perpetration among young men living in urban informal settlements using a mediation analysis of the Stepping Stones and Creating Futures intervention. Glob Health Action 2023; 16:2188686. [PMID: 36927500 PMCID: PMC10026746 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2023.2188686] [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] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stepping Stones and Creating Futures (SS/CF) is a gender transformative and economic empowerment intervention that has effectively reduced the perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV) by young men living in informal settlements in South Africa. OBJECTIVE This study examines whether depression mediated the association between SS/CF intervention and decreased IPV. METHOD Data from a two-arm cluster randomised community-based controlled trial that evaluated the effectiveness of SS/CF in lowering IPV were obtained from 674 young men aged 18-30 within urban informal settlements in South Africa. After being randomly assigned to either the experimental arm (SS/CF) or the control arm, the participants were followed up for 24 months. Logistic regression using mediation analysis was conducted to see whether changes in depressive symptoms mediated the association between the intervention and reduced IPV perpetration. RESULTS Findings from the mediation analysis indicated that those assigned to the SS/CF experimental group reported lower depression (β = -0.42, p < 0.05) at 12 months, and this was subsequently associated with reduced IPV (β = 0.43, p < 0.05) at 24 months. The direct path from SS/CF to IPV was originally (β = -0.46, p < 0.01), but reduced in the mediation model to (β = -0.13, p = 0.50). Depressive symptoms mediated the association between the SS/CF intervention and decreased IPV perpetration. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that one pathway through which SS/CF decreased IPV was through improvement in mental health (i.e. depression). Future IPV prevention interventions may consider incorporating components that focus on improving mental health as a way of also reducing IPV perpetration in disadvantaged settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Oyekunle
- Department of Public Health Medicine, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Andrew Gibbs
- Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
- Centre for Rural Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Andrew Tomita
- Centre for Rural Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform (KRISP), College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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Oyekunle V, Tomita A, Gibbs A. Cluster randomized controlled trial of Stepping Stones and Creating Futures to reduce mental health challenges among young men in informal settlements in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2023; 69:1712-1722. [PMID: 37272405 PMCID: PMC10657496 DOI: 10.1177/00207640231174370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Informal settlements are high density areas in and around cities, characterized by a lack of formal planning and basic amenities, being known in South Africa for high levels of mental disorder driven by violence, and complex social and economic challenges. In particular, young men's poor mental health goes untreated, with relatively few evidenced-based interventions available in this setting. AIM This cluster randomized controlled trial investigated the effectiveness of Stepping Stones and Creating Futures (SS/CF), a participatory gender transformative and economic empowerment intervention, on the mental health of young men living in South African informal settlement. METHODS A total of 674 young men ages 18 to 30 years were recruited in 34 clusters in Durban's urban informal settlements. Clusters were randomly allocated (1:1) to either the experimental SS/CF or control arm and participants were followed-up over 24-months. Intention-to-treat analysis based on generalized estimating equations (GEE) were fitted to quantify the impact of SS/CF on the men's anxiety and post-traumatic stress (PTS) symptomatology. RESULTS At end of the 24 months follow-period, anxiety (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.62, p = .04, 95% CI [0.39, 0.99]) and PTS (aOR = 0.52, p = .03, 95% CI [0.29, 0.93]) were significantly lower for group assigned to the SS/CF compared to the control group. CONCLUSION SS/CF, a gender transformative and livelihoods strengthening intervention designed to address poverty and other socio-economic challenges in informal settlements reduced anxiety and PTS among men with mental health challenges living in informal settlements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Oyekunle
- Department of Public Health Medicine, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Andrew Tomita
- Centre for Rural Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform (KRISP), College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Andrew Gibbs
- Centre for Rural Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, UK
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
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Alexander KA, Sharps P, Addison H, Bertrand D, Bauman A, Braithwaite-Hall M, Yarandi HN, Callwood G, Jemmott LS, Campbell JC. Development of an HIV/STI and partner violence health promotion intervention for abused US Virgin Islands women. Health Promot Int 2023; 38:daad072. [PMID: 37440255 PMCID: PMC10340080 DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daad072] [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] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Women in the US Virgin Islands (USVI) experience intimate partner violence (IPV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) at disproportionate rates compared to women on the US mainland. Women in violent relationships report experiencing controlling behaviours that decrease their ability to negotiate for sex using condoms or to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Though several evidence-based interventions exist to prevent either IPV or HIV, few address them through an integrated health promotion approach or attend to particular USVI cultural mores. This article describes the systematic development of a theory based, culturally tailored, integrated health promotion intervention that addresses IPV and HIV among USVI women experiencing abuse. The process included: (i) identifying and integrating evidence-based health promotion interventions, (ii) conducting formative research using focus groups, (iii) synthesizing focus group data to inform intervention development and (iv) developing a culturally and linguistically appropriate intervention specific to the needs and concerns of USVI women. The Empowered Sisters Project: Making Choices Reducing Risks (ESP) was developed through this research. ESP is a three-session health promotion curriculum focussed on enhancing sexual health and safety among women experiencing abuse. The ESP intervention components included promoting condom use, increasing IPV and HIV knowledge and developing a personalized safety plan. Health professionals facilitated individual intervention sessions using culturally tailored visual media and scripts. This program focussed on experiences of women living in the USVI and has implications for utility across the Caribbean diaspora.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Phyllis Sharps
- School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Helena Addison
- School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Aletha Bauman
- School of Nursing, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands
| | | | | | - Gloria Callwood
- School of Nursing, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands
| | - Loretta S Jemmott
- College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Oyekunle V, Tomita A, Gibbs A. High levels of poor mental health among young men in urban informal settlements in South Africa: a community-based study of social determinants. PSYCHOL HEALTH MED 2023; 28:2606-2620. [PMID: 35699350 DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2022.2088816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Informal settlements (high population density areas at the outskirts of urban areas characterized by lack basic amenities) in South Africa are consequences of apartheid regime's discriminatory migrant labour and spatial policy and continue to grow. Living in informal settlements accompanies a mire of social/health challenges that threatens upward mobility, but few studies exist that document drivers of mental health challenges in these settings. We investigated the prevalence and social determinants of poor mental health for young men in informal settlements adjacent to one of the largest cities that is at the heart of HIV endemic in South Africa. This study involved a cross-sectional study with cluster sampling design of 674 young men aged 18-30 years residing in eThekwini informal settlement communities. We assessed the prevalence, and social determinants, of significant depressive (i.e., depression) and post-traumatic stress (i.e., PTS) symptoms using logistic regression. Given the complex survey design of the study, all analyses were adjusted for clustering. The prevalence of depression and PTS in the sample was 46.8% and 14.4% respectively. Results of the multivariable analyses indicated that severe food insecurity (aOR = 2.98, 95% CI:1.70-5.22), crime perpetration (aOR = 1.51, 95% CI:1.05-3.80), severe adverse childhood event (aOR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.05-3.80), traumatic event exposures (aOR = 2.43, 95% CI:1.56-3.80) and problematic alcohol use (aOR = 1.73, 95% CI:1.20-2.49) were significantly associated with depression. While incomplete secondary education (aOR = 0.45, 95% CI:0.22-0.92), moderate food insecurity (aOR = 2.51, 95% CI:1.04-6.06), traumatic event exposures (aOR = 2.19, 95% CI:1.32-3.64) and problematic alcohol use (aOR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.24-3.73) were significantly associated with PTS. Our study highlights the exceedingly high levels of poor mental health among young men in informal settlements, with depression and PTS being driven by economic/social conditions. Multilevel interventions that address the individual, interpersonal, and social variables that contribute to poor mental health are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Oyekunle
- Discipline of Public Health Medicine, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Andrew Tomita
- Centre for Rural Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform (KRISP), College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-NatalKwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Andrew Gibbs
- Centre for Rural Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
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Clark CJ, Bergenfeld I, Cheong YF, Kaslow NJ, Yount KM. Impact of Measurement Variability on Study Inference in Partner Violence Prevention Trials in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. Assessment 2023; 30:1339-1353. [PMID: 35575155 PMCID: PMC10248284 DOI: 10.1177/10731911221095599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
In lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs), studies of interventions to reduce intimate partner violence (IPV) are expanding, yet measurement equivalence of the IPV construct-the primary outcome in these investigations-has not been established. We assessed the measurement equivalence of physical and sexual IPV item sets used in recent trials in LMICs and tested the impact of noninvariance on study inference. With data from four intervention trials (N = 3,545) completed before 2020, we used multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis to assess invariance across arms, over time, and across studies. We also calculated average treatment effects adjusting for covariate imbalance to assess concordance with published results. Most items functioned equivalently within studies at baseline and end line. Some evidence of longitudinal noninvariance was observed in at least one study arm in three studies, but did not meaningfully affect latent means or effect-size estimates. Evidence of partial invariance across studies at baseline and strict invariance over time was observed. Common measures of physical and sexual IPV were valid for measuring intervention impact in these samples. The study highlights the need for harmonized use of the tested scale, content validity assessments, and routine measurement equivalence testing to ensure valid inferences about intervention effectiveness.
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10
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Gibbs A, Desmond C, Barnett T, Shahmanesh M, Seeley J. Is hope associated with HIV-acquisition risk and intimate partner violence amongst young women and men? A cross-sectional study in urban informal settlements in South Africa. AIDS Care 2023; 35:833-840. [PMID: 36435964 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2022.2143470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Hope is a concept that may mediate between the structural constraints people live under and their HIV-acquisition risk behaviours/experiences. Drawing on data collected as the baseline for an intervention trial between September 2015 and September 2016, among young (18-30-year-old), out-of-school women and men in urban informal settlements in Durban, South Africa, we assess whether hope, assessed by the Snyder Hope Scale, is associated with HIV-risk behaviours/experiences. 677 women (35.5%; 33.7%; 30.9%; low, medium, and high hope scores respectively) and 668 men (40.6%; 32.8%; 26.7%; low, medium, and high hope scores respectively) were included. Among women, adjusted analyses showed high levels of hope, compared to low levels, were associated with greater modern contraceptive use (aOR1.57, 1.04-2.37). For men, medium or high levels of hope, compared to low levels, were associated with reduced physical and/or sexual IPV perpetration (med: aOR0.55, 0.38-0.81, high: 0.38, 0.25-0.57), emotional IPV perpetration (med: aOR0.54, 0.36-0.80, high: aOR0.62, 0.41-0.94) and transactional sex (med: 0.57, 0.38-0.84, high: aOR0.57, 0.39-0.86) respectively. For men, hope potentially captured a pathway between an individual's structural context and their HIV-risk behaviour. Yet this was not the case for women. It may be the Snyder Hope Scale does not adequately capture localised meanings of hope.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Gibbs
- Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Durban, South Africa
- School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Chris Desmond
- School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Tony Barnett
- Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London, UK
- Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa, London School of Economics, London, UK
| | - Maryam Shahmanesh
- School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Janet Seeley
- School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Wambiya EOA, Gourlay AJ, Mulwa S, Magut F, Mthiyane N, Orindi B, Chimbindi N, Kwaro D, Shahmanesh M, Floyd S, Birdthistle I, Ziraba A. Impact of DREAMS interventions on experiences of violence among adolescent girls and young women: Findings from population-based cohort studies in Kenya and South Africa. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0001818. [PMID: 37163514 PMCID: PMC10171651 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
DREAMS aims to reduce HIV incidence among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) by tackling drivers of HIV risk including gender-based violence. We evaluate the impact of DREAMS on recent experiences of violence perpetuated by men against AGYW. AGYW cohorts were randomly selected from demographic platforms in South Africa (rural KwaZulu-Natal) and Kenya (Nairobi informal settlements and rural Gem sub-county). AGYW aged 13-22 years were enrolled in 2017 (Nairobi, KwaZulu-Natal) or 2018 (Gem), with annual follow-up to 2019. We described proportions of AGYW who self-reported experiences of violence perpetrated by males in the 12 months preceding the interview, overall and by form (physical, sexual, emotional). We investigated associations with DREAMS (invitation to participate during 2017-2018) through multivariable propensity score-adjusted logistic regression and estimated the causal effect of DREAMS on experiences of violence, under counter-factual scenarios in which all versus no AGYW were DREAMS beneficiaries. Among 852, 1018 and 1712 AGYW followed-up in 2019 in Nairobi, Gem and KZN, respectively, proportions reporting any violence in 2019 were higher in Nairobi (29%) than Gem (18%) and KwaZulu-Natal (19%). By sub-type, emotional and physical violence were more frequently reported than sexual violence. We found no evidence of an impact attributable to DREAMS on overall levels of violence, in any setting. Nor was there evidence of impact on sub-types of violence, with one exception: an increase in physical violence in Nairobi if all, versus no, AGYW were DREAMS beneficiaries (16% vs 11%; +5% difference [95% CI: +0.2%, +10.0%]). Experiences of gender-based violence were common among AGYW, especially in urban settings, and DREAMS had no measurable impact on reducing violence within three years of implementation. Violence prevention programming that reaches more men and the broader community, sustained for longer periods, may yield greater gains in violence reduction than AGYW-focused programming. Additionally, more investment in implementation research is needed to bridge trial-based study findings from efficacy to population-level effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvis Omondi Achach Wambiya
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Health and Systems for Health, African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Annabelle J. Gourlay
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Mulwa
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Faith Magut
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Centre for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Nondumiso Mthiyane
- Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Benedict Orindi
- Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Center for Geographic Medicine Research, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Natsayi Chimbindi
- Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- University of KwaZulu-Natal, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Daniel Kwaro
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Centre for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Maryam Shahmanesh
- Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- University of KwaZulu-Natal, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Sian Floyd
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Isolde Birdthistle
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Abdhalah Ziraba
- Health and Systems for Health, African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya
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Mannell J, Washington L, Khaula S, Khoza Z, Mkhwanazi S, Burgess RA, Brown LJ, Jewkes R, Shai N, Willan S, Gibbs A. Challenges and opportunities in coproduction: reflections on working with young people to develop an intervention to prevent violence in informal settlements in South Africa. BMJ Glob Health 2023; 8:e011463. [PMID: 36990642 PMCID: PMC10069549 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2022-011463] [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] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Coproduction is widely recognised as essential to the development of effective and sustainable complex health interventions. Through involving potential end users in the design of interventions, coproduction provides a means of challenging power relations and ensuring the intervention being implemented accurately reflects lived experiences. Yet, how do we ensure that coproduction delivers on this promise? What methods or techniques can we use to challenge power relations and ensure interventions are both more effective and sustainable in the longer term? To answer these questions, we openly reflect on the coproduction process used as part of Siyaphambili Youth ('Youth Moving Forward'), a 3-year project to create an intervention to address the social contextual factors that create syndemics of health risks for young people living in informal settlements in KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa. We identify four methods or techniques that may help improve the methodological practice of coproduction: (1) building trust through small group work with similar individuals, opportunities for distance from the research topic and mutual exchanges about lived experiences; (2) strengthening research capacity by involving end users in the interpretation of data and explaining research concepts in a way that is meaningful to them; (3) embracing conflicts that arise between researchers' perspectives and those of people with lived experiences; and (4) challenging research epistemologies through creating spaces for constant reflection by the research team. These methods are not a magic chalice of codeveloping complex health interventions, but rather an invitation for a wider conversation that moves beyond a set of principles to interrogate what works in coproduction practice. In order to move the conversation forward, we suggest that coproduction needs to be seen as its own complex intervention, with research teams as potential beneficiaries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Smanga Mkhwanazi
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Rochelle A Burgess
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Social Work, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, South Africa
| | - Laura J Brown
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Rachel Jewkes
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
- Office of the Executive Scientist, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Nwabisa Shai
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Samantha Willan
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Andrew Gibbs
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
- Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
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Bose DL, Hundal A, Singh S, Singh S, Seth K, Hadi SU, Saran A, Joseph J, Goyal K, Salve S. Evidence and gap map report: Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) interventions for strengthening HIV prevention and research among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). CAMPBELL SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS 2023; 19:e1297. [PMID: 36911864 PMCID: PMC9831290 DOI: 10.1002/cl2.1297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Background Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), aged 15-24 years, are disproportionately affected by HIV and other sexual and reproductive health (SRH) risks due to varying social, cultural, and economic factors that affect their choices and shape their knowledge, understanding, and practices with regard to their health. Socio-Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC) interventions targeted at strengthening the capabilities of individuals and their networks have supported the demand and uptake of prevention services and participation in biomedical research. However, despite growing global recognition of the domain, high-quality evidence on the effectiveness of SBCC remains scattered. This evidence and gap map (EGM) report characterizes the evidence base on SBCC interventions for strengthening HIV Prevention and Research among AGYW in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), identifying evidence gaps and outlining the scope of future research and program design. Objectives The objectives of the proposed EGM are to: (a) identify and map existing EGMs in the use of diverse SBCC strategies to strengthen the adoption of HIV prevention measures and participation in research among AGYW in LMICs and (b) identify areas where more interventions and evidence are needed to inform the design of future SBCC strategies and programs for AGYW engagement in HIV prevention and research. Methods This EGM is based on a comprehensive search of systematic reviews and impact evaluations corresponding to a range of interventions and outcomes-aimed at engaging AGYW in HIV prevention and research - that were published in LMICs from January 2000 to April 2021. Based on guidance for producing a Campbell Collaboration EGM, the intervention and outcome framework was designed in consultation with a group of experts. These interventions were categorized across four broad intervention themes: mass-media, community-based, interpersonal, and Information Communication and Technology (ICT)/Digital Media-based interventions. They were further sub-categorized into 15 intervention categories. Included studies looked at 23 unique behavioral and health outcomes such as knowledge attitude and skills, relationship dynamics, household dynamics, health care services, and health outcomes and research engagement. The EGM is presented as a matrix in which the rows are intervention categories/sub-categories, and the columns are outcome domains/subdomains. Each cell is mapped to an intervention targeted at outcomes. Additional filters like region, country, study design, age group, funding agency, influencers, population group, publication status, study confidence, setting, and year of publication have been added. Selection Criteria To be eligible, studies must have tested the effectiveness of SBCC interventions at engaging AGYW in LMICs in HIV prevention and research. The study sample must have consisted of AGYW between the ages of 15-24, as defined by UNAIDS. Both experimental (random assignment) and quasi-experimental studies that included a comparison group were eligible. Relevant outcomes included those at the individual, influencer, and institutional levels, along with those targeting research engagement and prevention-related outcomes. Results This EGM comprises 415 impact evaluations and 43 systematic reviews. Interventions like peer-led interactions, counseling, and community dialogues were the most dominant intervention sub-types. Despite increased digital penetration use of media and technology-driven interventions are relatively less studied. Most of the interventions were delivered by peers, health care providers, and educators, largely in school-based settings, and in many cases are part of sex-education curricula. Evidence across geographies was mostly concentrated in Sub-Saharan Africa (70%). Most measured outcomes focused on disease-related knowledge dissemination and enhancing awareness of available prevention options/strategies. These included messaging around consistent condom use, limiting sexual partners, routine testing, and awareness. Very few studies were able to include psychographic, social, and contextual factors influencing AGYW health behaviors and decisions, especially those measuring the impact of social and gender norms, relationship dynamics, and household dynamics-related outcomes. Outcomes related to engagement in the research were least studied. Conclusion This EGM highlights that evidence is heavily concentrated within the awareness-intent spectrum of behavior change and gets lean for outcomes situated within the intent-action and the action-habit formation spectrum of the behavior change continuum. Most of the evidence was concentrated on increasing awareness, knowledge, and building risk perception around SRH domains, however, fewer studies focused on strengthening the agency and self-efficacy of individuals. Similarly, evidence on extrinsic factors-such as strengthening social and community norms, relationships, and household dynamics-that determine individual thought and action such as negotiation and life skills were also found to be less populated. Few studies explore the effectiveness of these interventions across diverse AGYW identities, like pregnant women and new mothers, sex workers, and people living with HIV, leading to limited understanding of the use of these interventions across multiple user segments including key influencers such as young men, partners, families, religious leaders, and community elders was relatively low. There is a need for better quality evidence that accounts for the diversity of experiences within these populations to understand what interventions work, for whom, and toward what outcome. Further, the evidence for use of digital and mass-media tools remains poorly populated. Given the increasing penetration of these tools and growing media literacy on one end, with widening gender-based gaps on the other, it is imperative to gather more high-quality evidence on their effectiveness. Timely evidence generation can help leverage these platforms appropriately and enable intervention designs that are responsive to changing communication ecologies of AGYW. SBCC can play a critical role in helping researchers meaningfully engage and collaborate with communities as equal stakeholders, however, this remains poorly evidenced and calls for investigation and investment. A full list of abbreviations and acronyms are available in Supporting Information: Appendix F.
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Gibbs A, Chirwa E, Dunkle K. A Prospective Analysis of the Interrelationship between Physical Intimate Partner Violence and Alcohol Use: A Post-Hoc Analysis of Young Women Involved in the Stepping Stones and Creating Futures Trial in South Africa. JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 2023; 38:NP750-NP771. [PMID: 35400229 DOI: 10.1177/08862605221084738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Prospective studies assessing women's experience of intimate partner violence (IPV) and alcohol use have shown mixed results and all are from high-income countries. Using longitudinal data from young women in South Africa we assess whether changes in physical IPV impact alcohol use, and whether changes in alcohol use impact physical IPV experience. Post-hoc analysis of women aged 18-30 living in informal settlements in eThekwini Municipality, South Africa, involved in the Stepping Stones and Creating Futures trial, between September 2015 and October 2019, with data collected at baseline (n = 677) and endline at 24 months (n = 545, 80.5% retention). At both timepoints, women were asked about their past year physical IPV experience and alcohol use. We estimated changes in physical IPV over time and whether this was associated with harmful alcohol use at endline. We then estimated changes in alcohol use over time, and whether this was associated with experience of past year physical IPV at endline. Women who experienced an increase in physical IPV over the study period were more likely to report harmful drinking at 24 months (aOR2.45, 95% CI 1.21-4.97). Similarly, women reporting increased alcohol use over time were more likely to report past year physical IPV at 24 months (aOR2.04, 95% CI 1.21-3.46). Among young women living in urban poverty those who experienced increasing physical violence from intimate partners were more likely to report increased and problematic alcohol use. Similarly, women reporting increasing alcohol use over 24 months were more likely to report physical IPV. However, there was no evidence that decreased alcohol use led to reductions in IPV, or that reduced IPV experience led to decreased alcohol use. Future research and interventions need to consider the reciprocal risks of physical IPV and alcohol use, with a focus on joint underlying drivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Gibbs
- Gender and Health Research Unit, 59097South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
- Centre for Rural Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Esnat Chirwa
- Gender and Health Research Unit, 59097South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Kristin Dunkle
- Gender and Health Research Unit, 59097South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
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Langwenya N, Toska E, Stöckl H, Cluver L. Which groups are most affected by sexual violence? A disaggregated analysis by sex, age, and HIV-status of adolescents living in South Africa. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2022:105981. [PMID: 36473807 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Estimates on sexual violence (SV) among adolescents are rarely disaggregated by key indicators. OBJECTIVE We examine the independent effects of sex, age, HIV status and mode of HIV acquisition on the exposure to SV using generalised estimating equations models and proportional hazard model. PARTICIPANT AND SETTING Data from a 4-year prospective cohort study of 1447 adolescents (ages 10-19, 57% girls, 76% living with HIV) in South Africa. METHODS We describe the lifetime prevalence of three forms of SV: non-contact (unwanted showing of private parts), contact (coerced sexual debut, attempted and completed forced penetrative or oral sex,) and exploitative (sex in exchange for goods/money). RESULTS Overall, 23.9% (95%CI = 21.7%-26.1%) reported exposure to SV at some point in their lives: non-contact = 5.7%, contact = 9.0% and exploitative = 15.8%. While girls reported higher rates of exploitative (18.4% vs 12.3%; p < 0.001) and contact SV (12.3% vs 4.6%; p < 0.001), there were no differences in levels of non-contact SV by sex (6.5% vs 4.6%; p = 0.086). Exposure to any SV doubled in late adolescence (10-14 years = 7.0% vs ≥15 years = 31.7%; aIRR = 2.07; 95%CI = 1.82-2.37). Though level of SV were comparable between those living with HIV and those HIV-uninfected (22.9% vs 26.2%; p = 0.182), adolescents who recently acquired HIV were twice as likely to experience SV compared to adolescents who perinatally acquired HIV (42.3% vs 15.7%; aIRR = 2.03; 95%CI = 1.73-2.39). This association persisted when analysis was restricted to incidence SV during follow-up (aIRR = 1.53; 95%CI = 1.23-2.10). CONCLUSION Exposure to SV was high for both sexes, increased with age and more prevalent among adolescents who recently acquired HIV. SV prevention and response services must also be offered to boys and strengthened in HIV care services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nontokozo Langwenya
- Department of Social Policy and Intervention, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Nuffield College, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
| | - Elona Toska
- Department of Social Policy and Intervention, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Centre for Social Science Research, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Sociology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Heidi Stöckl
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry and Epidemiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Lucie Cluver
- Department of Social Policy and Intervention, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Mphamba D, Solomon FR, Nyairo G, Kim CJ, Krishnamoorthi M, Edem B, Amuyunzu-Nyamongo M, Kang J, Baiocchi M, Sarnquist CC. Youth voices from an informal settlement of Nairobi, Kenya: Engaging adolescent perspectives on violence to inform prevention. Glob Public Health 2022; 17:3686-3699. [PMID: 35579915 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2022.2076895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
We examined the experiences of violence and self-reported behavioural and community changes as a result of participation in a sexual assault prevention intervention in an informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya. We conducted longitudinal qualitative in-depth interviews with 20 adolescent girls and 11 adolescent boys at baseline, 12, and 24 months. Analysis was thematic with two investigators coding and reaching consensus about the themes. Participants' ages ranged from 10 to 13 at baseline; girls' mean age was 11.9, boys' mean age was 11.6. Participants reported experiencing high levels of violence at all stages of the study. Most reported feeling more empowered to protect themselves and others from sexual assault because of the intervention. While participants had mixed responses about change in sexual assault incidence, most perceived an improvement in inter-gender relationships after the intervention. Participants at midline and endline cited acquaintances and friends as potential perpetrators of sexual violence more often than at baseline and were more open to reporting violent incidents. The very young adolescents in this setting perceived that this sexual assault prevention intervention led to improvements in gender relations, adolescent girls' empowerment and, recognition of harmful rape myths.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02771132.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dumisile Mphamba
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Gavin Nyairo
- African Institute for Health and Development, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Candice Jeehae Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Blessing Edem
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Jennifer Kang
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Michael Baiocchi
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Clea C Sarnquist
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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Closson K, Ndungu J, Beksinska M, Ogilvie G, Dietrich JJ, Gadermann A, Gibbs A, Nduna M, Smit J, Gray G, Kaida A. Gender, Power, and Health: Measuring and Assessing Sexual Relationship Power Equity Among Young Sub-Saharan African Women and Men, a Systematic Review. TRAUMA, VIOLENCE & ABUSE 2022; 23:920-937. [PMID: 33353490 DOI: 10.1177/1524838020979676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Gender inequity, including low sexual relationship power (SRP), is an important determinant of intimate partner violence (IPV) and negative sexual, reproductive, and mental health. Different versions of the Sexual Relationship Power Scale (SRPS) are commonly used within youth studies to examine how gender inequities, including controlling behaviors, in heterosexual relationships impact the lives of young people in sub-Saharan Africa. This review aims to (1) describe definitions and measures of SRP within sub-Saharan African youth studies and (2) review and summarize associations between SRP equity, IPV, and sexual, reproductive, and mental health. After searching Pubmed, Ovid Med, Psych info, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and relevant research forums, 304 papers were identified, of which 29 papers based on 15 distinct studies (published 2004-2019) met our criteria for being youth-specific, conducted in sub-Saharan Africa, and including a quantitative measure of SRP. Details of each SRPS are described, including any adaptations and psychometric properties, as well as associations with IPV, sexual, reproductive, and mental health behaviors and outcomes. Results indicate that there are variations to the SRPS, and a paucity of evidence has detailed the psychometric properties of such measures within sub-Saharan African youth studies. Measures of SRP equity are associated with experiences (among women) and perpetration of (among men) IPV as numerous pathways to HIV risk; however, the evidence remains mixed. In order to address overlapping epidemics of violence against women and HIV, efforts are needed to ensure that measures, including the SRPS, are valid and reliable among highly affected populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalysha Closson
- School of Population and Public Health, 8166The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jane Ndungu
- School of Behavioural & Lifestyle Sciences, 56723Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
- Office of Engagement and Transformation, 56723Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | - Mags Beksinska
- MatCH Research Unit (MRU), 37708Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Durban, South Africa
| | - Gina Ogilvie
- School of Population and Public Health, 8166The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Women's Health Research Institute (WHRI), BC Women's Health Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Janan J Dietrich
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), Faculty of Health Sciences, 37707University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Unit, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Anne Gadermann
- School of Population and Public Health, 8166The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- The Human Learning Project, 8166The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Andrew Gibbs
- 59097South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
- Centre for Rural Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Mzikazi Nduna
- Department of Psychology, 37707University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Jenni Smit
- MatCH Research Unit (MRU), 37708Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Durban, South Africa
| | - Glenda Gray
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), Faculty of Health Sciences, 37707University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- 59097South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Angela Kaida
- Faculty of Health Sciences, 1763Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
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Ndungu J, Ngcobo-Sithole M, Gibbs A. Researchers or practitioners' opinion of the possibilities for creating virtual safe social spaces for violence prevention interventions for young people. HEALTH EDUCATION RESEARCH 2022; 37:155-166. [PMID: 35349674 DOI: 10.1093/her/cyac008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global concern. Interventions designed to prevent IPV are often participatory in nature, implemented in face-to-face settings and seek to create 'safe social spaces'. We however do not fully understand how safe social spaces can be created in online spaces. Our study sought to understand the possibility of creating safe social spaces online, supportive of participatory interventions, from the perspective of those developing and implementing IPV prevention interventions. We conducted in-depth interviews with a global sample of 20 researchers and practitioners. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic network analysis. We found mixed results about the possibility of creating safe social spaces online. Researchers and practitioners raised issues such as sharing of devices, the difficulties in developing trust and a sense of community online, challenges in having privacy and confidentiality online and difficulty in reading non-verbal cues as some of the key considerations when creating online safe social spaces. Younger researchers and practitioners were more optimistic about creating safe social spaces online. Our results show that the creation of safe social spaces online is complex and requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Ndungu
- School of behavioral Sciences, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | | | - Andrew Gibbs
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
- Centre for Rural Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
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Mannell J, Minckas N, Burgess R, Chirwa ED, Jewkes R, Gibbs A. Does experiencing a traumatic life event increase the risk of intimate partner violence for young women? A cross-sectional analysis and structural equation model of data from the Stepping Stones and Creating Futures intervention in South Africa. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e051969. [PMID: 35487735 PMCID: PMC9058688 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-051969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate associations and potential pathways between women's lifetime exposure to traumatic events and their recent experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV). SETTING South African informal settlements near Durban. PARTICIPANTS 677 women, living in informal settlements, aged 18-30 years, currently out of school or formal employment. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Self-reported experiences of IPV in the past 12 months and exposure to traumatic neighbourhood events (including witnessing murder, being robbed or kidnapped, witnessing and experiencing rape). RESULTS Exposure to traumatic events was common among the 677 women surveyed. Over 70% had experienced at least one in their lifetime; one quarter (24%) had experienced 3 or more different events. Women exposed to any traumatic event had a 43% increase in the odds of experiencing IPV in comparison to those with no exposure (aOR 1.43, p≤0.000). Exposure to non-partner rape is more strongly associated with IPV than any other traumatic experience. Pathways from exposure to traumatic events and non-partner rape to recent IPV experience are mediated by a latent variable of poor mental health. Food insecurity is associated with all forms of traumatic experience, and is also indirectly associated with IPV through views by women that are unsupportive of gender equality. CONCLUSIONS Women living in South African informal settlements who witness or experience traumatic events were likely to experience IPV, and this increases when women were exposed to multiple types of events. Our model suggests that experiencing traumatic events, and non-partner rape in particular, has negative effects on women's mental health in ways that may increase their vulnerability to IPV. IPV prevention interventions should consider the broader impacts of women's exposure to neighbourhood violence and severe poverty on IPV risk in settings where these are endemic. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT03022370; post-results.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Esnat D Chirwa
- Gender and Health Division, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Rachel Jewkes
- Gender and Health Division, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Andrew Gibbs
- Gender and Health Division, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
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Psaki SR, Pulerwitz J, Zieman B, Hewett PC, Beksinska M. What are we learning about HIV testing in informal settlements in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa? Results from a randomized controlled trial. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0257033. [PMID: 35259151 PMCID: PMC8903271 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent evidence highlighting high HIV incidence and prevalence in informal settlements suggests that they are environments that foster HIV risk. Given growing urbanization in sub-Saharan Africa, there is a critical need to assess the successes and challenges of implementing HIV testing, prevention and treatment interventions in these contexts. METHODS We randomly selected a household-based sample of 1528 adult men (18-35) and women (18-24) living in 18 randomly selected communities in KZN, South Africa. After the baseline interview, communities were randomized to one of three intervention rollout arms in a stepped wedge design. At approximately 8-month intervals, the Asibonisane Community Responses Program (and in particular the implementation of Stepping Stones, a participatory HIV prevention program focused on strengthening relationships and communication) was rolled at by intervention phase. Using data from this evaluation, we describe levels and trends in HIV testing and treatment during follow-up, and we use fixed effects models to estimate the effects of participation in the program on testing. RESULTS Study respondents reported high levels of economic insecurity and mobility, and men report various HIV risk behaviors including about 50% reporting multiple partnerships. About two-thirds of respondents (73% of women, 63% of men) had been tested for HIV in the last six months. Among those living with HIV, treatment levels were high at baseline, and almost universal by endline in 2019. Program participation led to a 17% increase in the probability of testing for women (p<0.05) but had no effect on testing for men due, in part, to the fact that the program did not reach men who were least likely to be tested, including those who had migrated recently, and those who had never been tested at baseline. CONCLUSIONS Near universal HIV treatment use demonstrates positive trends in access to some HIV services (including treatment as prevention) in these communities. Stepping Stones had positive effects on HIV testing for women, yet barriers to HIV testing remain, especially for men. Redoubled efforts to reach men with testing are vital for improving HIV outcomes for both men and their partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie R. Psaki
- Population Council/Project SOAR, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Julie Pulerwitz
- Population Council/Project SOAR, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Brady Zieman
- Population Council/Project SOAR, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Paul C. Hewett
- Population Council/Project SOAR, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Mags Beksinska
- MatCH Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Varela JJ, Sánchez PA, Aguayo F, González C, Alfaro J, De Tezanos-Pinto P. Gender attitudes, school violence and well-being among Chilean adolescents. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-02637-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Mkhwanazi S, Gibbs A. Risk factors for generalized anxiety disorder among young women and men in informal settlements in South Africa: A cross-sectional study. SSM - MENTAL HEALTH 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmmh.2021.100010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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Stern E, Willan S, Gibbs A, Myrttinen H, Washington L, Sikweyiya Y, Addo-Lartey A, Mastonshoeva S, Jewkes R. Pathways of change: qualitative evaluations of intimate partner violence prevention programmes in Ghana, Rwanda, South Africa and Tajikistan. CULTURE, HEALTH & SEXUALITY 2021; 23:1700-1716. [PMID: 32896204 DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2020.1801843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
A critical component of evaluations of the effectiveness of intimate partner violence prevention programmes involves understanding pathways of change among individuals who participate in such programmes, and the intervention or contextual elements that support or hinder these. This paper draws on qualitative evaluations of four intimate partner violence prevention programmes in Ghana, Rwanda, South Africa and Tajikistan conducted as part of the What Works to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls Programme. Using a comparative case study approach, a secondary analysis was applied to thematically analysed data to explore how and why men and women change in response to different types of programmes across diverse contexts. Similar pathways of change were identified including the value of learning and applying relationship skills to support equitable, non-violent relationships; the importance of participatory approaches to challenge harmful gender norms and allow for group rapport; and the integration of economic empowerment activities to reduce drivers of intimate partner violence and conflict, and promote participants' self-confidence and status. These findings provide insights regarding intervention design and implementation factors pertinent to bring about changes in intimate partner violence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Stern
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Samantha Willan
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Andrew Gibbs
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | | | - Yandisa Sikweyiya
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | | | - Rachel Jewkes
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
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Ferrari G, Torres-Rueda S, Michaels-Igbokwe C, Watts C, Jewkes R, Vassall A. Economic Evaluation of Public Health Interventions: An Application to Interventions for the Prevention of Violence Against Women and Girls Implemented by the "What Works to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls?" Global Program. JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 2021; 36:NP11392-NP11420. [PMID: 31702407 PMCID: PMC8581711 DOI: 10.1177/0886260519885118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Violence against women and girls (VAWG) has important social, economic, and public health impacts. Governments and international donors are increasing their investment in VAWG prevention programs, yet clear guidelines to assess the "value for money" of these interventions are lacking. Improved costing and economic evaluation of VAWG prevention can support programming through supporting priority setting, justifying investment, and planning the financing of VAWG prevention services. This article sets out a standardized methodology for the economic evaluation of complex, that is, multicomponent and/or multiplatform, programs designed to prevent VAWG in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It outlines an approach that can be used alongside the most recent guidance for the economic evaluation of public health interventions in LMICs. It defines standardized methods of data collection and analysis, outcomes, and unit costs (i.e., average costs per person reached, output or service delivered), and provides guidance to investigate the uncertainty in cost-effectiveness estimates and report results. The costing approach has been developed and piloted as part of the "What Works to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls?" (What Works?) program in five countries. This article and its supplementary material can be used by both economists and non-economists to contribute to the generation of new cost-effectiveness data on VAWG prevention, and ultimately improve the allocative efficiency and financing across VAWG programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Ferrari
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK
- University of Bristol, UK
| | | | | | - Charlotte Watts
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK
- Department for International Development, London, UK
| | - Rachel Jewkes
- South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
- University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Anna Vassall
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK
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Torres-Rueda S, Ferrari G, Orangi S, Hitimana R, Daviaud E, Tawiah T, Prah RKD, Karmaliani R, Kapapa E, Barasa E, Jewkes R, Vassall A. What will it cost to prevent violence against women and girls in low- and middle-income countries? Evidence from Ghana, Kenya, Pakistan, Rwanda, South Africa and Zambia. Health Policy Plan 2021; 35:855-866. [PMID: 32556173 PMCID: PMC7487331 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czaa024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a global problem with profound consequences. Although there is a growing body of evidence on the effectiveness of VAWG prevention interventions, economic data are scarce. We carried out a cross-country study to examine the costs of VAWG prevention interventions in low- and middle-income countries. We collected primary cost data on six different pilot VAWG prevention interventions in six countries: Ghana, Kenya, Pakistan, Rwanda, South Africa and Zambia. The interventions varied in their delivery platforms, target populations, settings and theories of change. We adopted a micro-costing methodology. We calculated total costs and a number of unit costs common across interventions (e.g. cost per beneficiary reached). We used the pilot-level cost data to model the expected total costs and unit costs of five interventions scaled up to the national level. Total costs of the pilots varied between ∼US $208 000 in a small group intervention in South Africa to US $2 788 000 in a couples and community-based intervention in Rwanda. Staff costs were the largest cost input across all interventions; consequently, total costs were sensitive to staff time use and salaries. The cost per beneficiary reached in the pilots ranged from ∼US $4 in a community-based intervention in Ghana to US $1324 for one-to-one counselling in Zambia. When scaled up to the national level, total costs ranged from US $32 million in Ghana to US $168 million in Pakistan. Cost per beneficiary reached at scale decreased for all interventions compared to the pilots, except for school-based interventions due to differences in student density per school between the pilot and the national average. The costs of delivering VAWG prevention vary greatly due to differences in the geographical reach, number of intervention components and the complexity of adapting the intervention to the country. Cost-effectiveness analyses are necessary to determine the value for money of interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Torres-Rueda
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Giulia Ferrari
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Stacey Orangi
- Health Economics Research Unit, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, P.O Box 43640 - 00100, 197 Lenana Place, Off Lenana Road, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Regis Hitimana
- School of Public Health, University of Rwanda, Remera Campus, P.O. Box 3286, Kigali KG 11 Avenue, Gasabo, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Emmanuelle Daviaud
- Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Francie Van Zyl Drive, Parow Valley, Cape Town 7503, South Africa
| | - Theresa Tawiah
- Kintampo Health Research Centre, P.O. Box 200, Kintampo North Municipality, Ghana
| | | | - Rozina Karmaliani
- School of Nursing and Midwifery and Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, National Stadium Road, Karachi 74800, Pakistan
| | - Eleonah Kapapa
- National Institute of Public Administration, P.O Box 31990 Plot No. 4810, Dushanbe Road, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Edwine Barasa
- Health Economics Research Unit, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, P.O Box 43640 - 00100, 197 Lenana Place, Off Lenana Road, Nairobi, Kenya.,Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Henry Wellcome Building for Molecular Physiology, Old Road Campus, Headington, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Rachel Jewkes
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, 1 Soutpansberg Road, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Anna Vassall
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SH, UK
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Gibbs A, Dunkle K, Mhlongo S, Chirwa E, Hatcher A, Christofides NJ, Jewkes R. Which men change in intimate partner violence prevention interventions? A trajectory analysis in Rwanda and South Africa. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 5:bmjgh-2019-002199. [PMID: 32424011 PMCID: PMC7239517 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2019-002199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2019] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Emerging evidence suggests working with men to prevent intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration can be effective. However, it is unknown whether all men benefit equally, or whether different groups of men respond differentially to interventions. METHODS We conducted trajectory modelling using longitudinal data from men enrolled in intervention arms of three IPV trials in South Africa and Rwanda to identify trajectories of IPV perpetration. We then use multinomial regression to describe baseline characteristics associated with group allocation. RESULTS In South Africa, the Stepping Stones and Creating Futures (SS-CF) trial had 289 men and the CHANGE trial had 803 men, and in Rwanda, Indashyikirwa had 821 men. We identified three trajectories of IPV perpetration: a low-flat (60%-67% of men), high with large reduction (19%-24%) and high with slight increase (10%-21%). Baseline factors associated men in high-start IPV trajectories, compared with low-flat trajectory, varied by study, but included higher poverty, poorer mental health, greater substance use, younger age and more childhood traumas. Attitudes supportive of IPV were consistently associated with high-start trajectories. In separate models comparing high-reducing to high-increasing trajectories, baseline factors associated with reduced IPV perpetration were depressive symptoms (relative risk ratio, RRR=3.06, p=0.01 SS-CF); living separately from their partner (RRR=2.14, p=0.01 CHANGE); recent employment (RRR=1.85, p=0.04 CHANGE) and lower acceptability of IPV (RRR=0.60, p=0.08 Indashyikirwa). Older aged men had a trend towards reducing IPV perpetration in CHANGE (p=0.06) and younger men in Indashyikirwa (p=0.07). CONCLUSIONS Three distinct groups of men differed in their response to IPV prevention interventions. Baseline characteristics of past traumas and current poverty, mental health and gender beliefs predicted trajectory group allocation. The analysis may inform targeting of interventions towards those who have propensity to change or guide how contextual factors may alter intervention effects. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS NCT03022370; NCT02823288; NCT03477877.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Gibbs
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa .,Centre for Rural Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Kristin Dunkle
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Shibe Mhlongo
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Esnat Chirwa
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa.,School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Abigail Hatcher
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, United States
| | - Nicola J Christofides
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Rachel Jewkes
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa.,School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Office of the Excutive Scientist, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
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Woznica DM, Ntombela N, Hoffmann CJ, Mabuto T, Kaufman MR, Murray SM, Owczarzak J. Intersectional Stigma Among People Transitioning From Incarceration to Community-Based HIV Care in Gauteng Province, South Africa. AIDS EDUCATION AND PREVENTION : OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR AIDS EDUCATION 2021; 33:202-215. [PMID: 34014112 PMCID: PMC8479561 DOI: 10.1521/aeap.2021.33.3.202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
People transitioning from incarceration to community-based HIV care experience HIV stigma, incarceration stigma, and the convergence of these stigmas with social inequities. The objective of this study is to understand intersectional stigma among people returning from incarceration with HIV in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 42 study participants. We analyzed transcript segments and memos from these interviews. Our results showed that anticipated HIV stigma increased participants' difficulty with disclosure and treatment collection. Incarceration stigma, particularly the mark of a criminal record, decreased socioeconomic stability in ways that negatively affected medication adherence. These stigmas converged with stereotypes that individuals were inherently criminal "bandits." Male participants expressed concerns that disclosing their HIV status would lead others to assume they had engaged in sexual activity with men while incarcerated. AIDS education and prevention efforts will require multilevel stigma interventions to improve HIV care outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel M Woznica
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | - Christopher J Hoffmann
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
- Aurum Institute for Health Research, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Tonderai Mabuto
- Aurum Institute for Health Research, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Michelle R Kaufman
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Sarah M Murray
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
| | - Jill Owczarzak
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
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Embleton L, Di Ruggiero E, Logie CH, Ayuku D, Braitstein P. Improving livelihoods and gender equitable attitudes of street-connected young people in Eldoret, Kenya: Results from a pilot evidence-based intervention. HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY 2021; 29:227-240. [PMID: 32633059 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Street-connected young people (SCY) in Eldoret, Kenya, experience substantial gender inequities, economic marginalization and are highly vulnerable to acquiring HIV. This study sought to explain and explore how participation in a pilot-adapted evidence-based intervention, Stepping Stones and Creating Futures, integrated with matched savings, changed SCY's economic resources, livelihoods and gender equitable attitudes. We piloted our adapted intervention using a convergent mixed-methods design measuring outcomes pre- and post-intervention with 80 SCY in four age- and gender-stratified groups of 20 participants per group (young women aged 16-19 years and 20-24 years, young men aged 16-19 years and 20-24 years). The pilot occurred at MTRH-Rafiki Centre for Excellence in Adolescent Health in Eldoret, Kenya, from September 2017 to January 2018. Through street outreach, Peer Facilitators created four age- and gender-stratified sampling lists of SCY whom met the eligibility criteria and whom indicated their interest in participating in the intervention during outreach sessions. Simple random sampling was used to select eligible participants who indicated their interest in participating in the intervention. The adapted intervention, Stepping Stones ya Mshefa na Kujijenga Kimaisha, included 24 sessions that occurred over 14 weeks, focused on sexual and reproductive health, gender norms in society, livelihoods and included a matched-savings programme conditional on attendance. The primary outcome of interest was gender equitable attitudes measured using the Gender Equitable Men scale and secondary outcomes included economic resources and livelihoods. Participants had a significant change in gender equitable attitudes from pre- to post-intervention from 43 (IQR 38-48) to 47 (IQR 42-51) (p < .001). Quantitatively and qualitatively participants reported increases in daily earnings, changes in street involvement, housing and livelihood activities. Overall, this study demonstrated that the adapted programme might be effective at changing gender equitable attitudes and improving livelihood circumstances for SCY in Kenya.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lonnie Embleton
- Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Erica Di Ruggiero
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Carmen H Logie
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - David Ayuku
- Department of Behavioural Science, College of Health Science, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
- Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Paula Braitstein
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare, Eldoret, Kenya
- School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
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Jewkes R, Gibbs A, Chirwa E, Dunkle K. What can we learn from studying control arms of randomised VAW prevention intervention evaluations: reflections on expected measurement error, meaningful change and the utility of RCTs. Glob Health Action 2020; 13:1748401. [PMID: 32338589 PMCID: PMC7241449 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2020.1748401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 10/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are a gold standard for evaluations in public health, economics and social sciences, including prevention of violence against women (VAW). They substantially reduce bias, but do not eliminate measurement error. Control arms often show change, but this is rarely systematically examined.Objective: We present a secondary analysis of data from the control arms of evaluations of VAW prevention programming to understand measurement variance over time, factors that may systematically impact this and make recommendations for stronger trial design and interpretation.Methods: We examine data from six RCTs and one quasi-experimental study, all of which used comparable measures. We look at change over time among control participants in prevalence of physical intimate partner violence (IPV), sexual IPV, and severe physical/sexual IPV, by participants' gender and study design (cohort vs. repeat cross-sectional).Results: On average, repeated assessments of past year IPV varied by 3.21 (95%Cis 1.59,4.83) percentage points for the studies with no active control arms. The prevalence at endline, as a proportion of that at baseline, on average differed by 17.7%. In 10/35 assessments from 4/7 studies, the difference was more than 30%. We did not find evidence of the Hawthorne effect or repeat interview bias as explanations. Our findings largely supported non-differential misclassification (measurement error) as the most likely error and it was a greater problem for men.Conclusions: Control arms are very valuable, but in VAW research their measures fluctuate. This must be considered in sample size calculations. We need more rigorous criteria for determining trial effect. Our findings suggest this may be an absolute change in prevalence of 7% and proportionate change of 0.4 or more (especially for studies in populations with lower IPV prevalence (<20%)). More elaborate pre-defined outcomes are necessary for determining impact (or possible harms) of VAW prevention interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Jewkes
- Gender & Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Andrew Gibbs
- Gender & Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Esnat Chirwa
- Gender & Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kristin Dunkle
- Gender & Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
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Dunkle K, Gibbs A, Chirwa E, Stern E, Van Der Heijden I, Washington L. How do programmes to prevent intimate partner violence among the general population impact women with disabilities? Post-hoc analysis of three randomised controlled trials. BMJ Glob Health 2020; 5:e002216. [PMID: 33277296 PMCID: PMC7722374 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2019-002216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Women with disabilities experience higher rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) than women without disabilities. There remains limited evidence about whether IPV prevention interventions for the general population have benefits for women with disabilities that compare to those for women without disabilities. Using data from IPV prevention randomised controlled trials in diverse locations (Rwanda, South Africa and Afghanistan), we assess whether outcomes differed by disability status. METHODS We assessed disability at baseline in three IPV prevention trials. We performed post-hoc analysis of intervention impacts at endline (22 or 24 months post-baseline) stratified by disability status at study baseline and tested an interaction term for disability at baseline by intervention arm for three sets of outcomes: (1) past year experiences of physical, sexual and severe IPV; (2) economic and livelihood outcomes; and (3) health, mental health and substance use outcomes. RESULTS At baseline between 17.7% and 26.2% of women reported being disabled. For IPV prevention, in seven out of eight tests across three studies, women with and without disabilities had similar outcomes. For economic, health and substance use outcomes, there was more variation, with women with disabilities reporting both better and worse outcomes than women without disabilities; however there was no clear pattern in these differential results. CONCLUSION IPV prevention programmes targeting general populations can prevent IPV among women with disabilities participants with benefits that mirror those for women without disabilities. Benefits for participants with and without disabilities on secondary programme outcomes related to economic empowerment and health may be more varied and should be explicitly monitored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Dunkle
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - Andrew Gibbs
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, South Africa
- Centre for Rural Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Esnat Chirwa
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - Erin Stern
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, South Africa
- Gender Violence and Health Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ingrid Van Der Heijden
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, South Africa
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Ndungu J, Ramsoomar L, Willan S, Washington L, Ngcobo-Sithole M, Gibbs A. Depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and their comorbidity: Implications of adversity amongst young women living in informal settlements in Durban, South Africa. JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS REPORTS 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jadr.2020.100022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
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Gibbs A, Abdelatif N, Washington L, Chirwa E, Willan S, Shai N, Sikweyiya Y, Jewkes R. Differential impact on men in an IPV prevention intervention: A post hoc analysis using latent class analysis of the Stepping Stones and Creating Futures intervention in South Africa. Soc Sci Med 2020; 265:113538. [PMID: 33257178 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.113538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Working with men to prevent their perpetration of intimate partner violence and non-partner sexual violence is increasingly recognised as effective. However, in any given context there are a multiplicity of masculinities, each of which has a different association with violence perpetration. There remains lack of clarity about whether such interventions impact all men and masculinities equally. We undertook a post-hoc analysis of men involved in the successful Stepping Stones and Creating Futures cluster randomized control trial in Durban, South Africa, to assess: i) whether there were different groups of men, ii) the factors associated with group allocation, and iii) whether the intervention had a differential impact on these groups in terms of violence perpetration. We used Latent Class Analysis (LCA) to identify masculinity classes, based on fit statistics and theoretical plausibility, and then used descriptive statistics (numbers, percentages, means) and p-values and multinomial models (95% confidence intervals, p-values) to assess factors associated with allocation to each class. To assess intervention impact by group, we used an intention-to-treat analysis, comparing men in each masculinity class, by intervention and control arm, using generalized estimating equations reporting unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (aORs). In total 674 were recruited at baseline, and the LCA identified three classes of men: high violence (29% of men), medium violence (50% of men) and low violence (21% of men). Multinomial models showed those in more violent classes were more supportive of violence, had more adverse experiences, more depression and had worked more. By masculinity class, the impact of SS-CF showed reductions among the most violent men, with significant reductions in past year physical IPV (aOR0.59, p = 0.014), emotional IPV (aOR0.44, p = 0.044) and economic IPV (aOR0.35, p = 0.004), with non-significant reductions among other classes of men. This analysis suggests intensive group-based interventions can have significant impacts on the most violent men in communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Gibbs
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Private Bag x385, 0001, Pretoria, South Africa; Centre for Rural Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 4th Floor, George Campbell Building West Wing, Howard College Campus, Durban, South Africa.
| | - Nada Abdelatif
- Biostatistics Unit, South African Medical Research Council, PO Box 70380, 4091 Overport, Durban, South Africa.
| | - Laura Washington
- Project Empower, 20 Diakonia Ave, Durban Central, Durban, 4001, South Africa.
| | - Esnat Chirwa
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Private Bag x385, 0001, Pretoria, South Africa; School of Public Health, University of Witwatersrand, 60 York Rd, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa.
| | - Samantha Willan
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Private Bag x385, 0001, Pretoria, South Africa.
| | - Nwabisa Shai
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Private Bag x385, 0001, Pretoria, South Africa; School of Public Health, University of Witwatersrand, 60 York Rd, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa.
| | - Yandisa Sikweyiya
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Private Bag x385, 0001, Pretoria, South Africa; School of Public Health, University of Witwatersrand, 60 York Rd, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa.
| | - Rachel Jewkes
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Private Bag x385, 0001, Pretoria, South Africa; School of Public Health, University of Witwatersrand, 60 York Rd, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa; Office of the Executive Scientist, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa Private Bag x385, 0001 Pretoria, South Africa.
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Willan S, Gibbs A, Shai N, Ntini N, Petersen I, Jewkes R. Did young women in South African informal settlements display increased agency after participating in the Stepping Stones and Creating Futures intervention? A qualitative evaluation. Soc Sci Med 2020; 265:113302. [DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.113302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Chirwa E, Jewkes R, Van Der Heijden I, Dunkle K. Intimate partner violence among women with and without disabilities: a pooled analysis of baseline data from seven violence-prevention programmes. BMJ Glob Health 2020; 5:e002156. [PMID: 33208311 PMCID: PMC7677328 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2019-002156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2019] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health and human rights violation which impacts approximately one in three women worldwide. Some existing evidence suggests that women with disabilities are at higher risk of IPV, but is largely limited in geographical scope to the Global North, and comparison across settings has been hampered by inconsistent measurement of both IPV and disability. METHODS Pooled analysis of baseline data from 8549 adult women participating in seven IPV prevention studies in five countries across Africa and Asia that used collaborative, comparative measurement strategies to assess both disability and IPV. RESULTS After adjusting for age, women with disabilities were more likely to experience past 12-month physical IPV (adjusted OR (aOR)=1.79; 95% CI 1.49 to 2.17), sexual IPV (aOR=1.98; 95% CI 1.36 to 2.89), emotional IPV (aOR=1.84; 95% CI 1.49 to 2.27) and economic IPV (aOR=1.66; 95% CI 1.45 to 1.89), with an overall association between disability and past 12-month physical/sexual IPV of aOR=1.93 (95% CI 1.52 to 2.46). Compared to women without disability, women with moderate and severe disability showed a trend of increasing risk of IPV in the past 12 months for each of physical, sexual, emotional and economic IPV. Overall, both women with moderate disability (aOR=1.86, 95% CI 1.57 to 2.21) and women with severe disability (aOR=2.63; 95% CI 1.95 to 3.55) were significantly more likely to experience any form of IPV when compared with women without disability. CONCLUSION Women with disabilities are at increased risk of past-year IPV compared to women without disabilities across a range of settings in the Global South, and the risk of IPV increases with increasing severity of disability. IPV prevention and response efforts in these settings must find ways to include and address the needs of women with disabilities, including increased outreach and improved accessibility of programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esnat Chirwa
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, South Africa
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Rachel Jewkes
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - Ingrid Van Der Heijden
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - Kristin Dunkle
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, South Africa
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Zhang Y. Application of machine learning algorithm and static model of interest rate curve in futures analysis. JOURNAL OF INTELLIGENT & FUZZY SYSTEMS 2020. [DOI: 10.3233/jifs-179968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
There are still some errors and instabilities in futures analysis. In order to improve the accuracy of prediction, this study combines image processing technology and applies image processing technology to interest rate wireless to construct a static model based on image processing. The necessary conditions for no arbitrage are realized by adjusting the price of issuing virtual vouchers at a parity, that is, the discount rate is monotonous in discrete cases. In addition, this paper obtains static model statistical graphs through data, and combines image noise processing and image segmentation technology to improve the clarity of statistical graphs and records the results for analysis of this research model. The research shows that the model proposed in this study has certain feasibility in futures analysis and can provide theoretical reference for subsequent related research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Zhang
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Shandong University of Finance and Economics, Jinan, Shandong, China
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Cork C, White R, Noel P, Bergin N. Randomized Controlled Trials of Interventions Addressing Intimate Partner Violence in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review. TRAUMA, VIOLENCE & ABUSE 2020; 21:643-659. [PMID: 29962286 PMCID: PMC7197024 DOI: 10.1177/1524838018784585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetrated by males is the most prevalent form of violence against women across the globe. A systematic review was carried out to identify published randomized controlled trials of interventions aiming to prevent or reduce IPV in Sub-Saharan Africa. Details were sought on the interventions, outcomes, and risk of bias in evaluations. METHODS Articles were identified by searching MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and PsycInfo. The search included terms pertaining to IPV, the research design, and the target geographical region. To be included, studies needed to have assessed the impact of an intervention on reported incidence, prevalence of IPV, or measures of related attitudes and behaviors. Fifteen papers were included in the final review. Risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane Library "Risk of Bias" tool. RESULTS Findings suggest that interventions have the potential to reduce IPV-related behaviors and attitudes. Certain types of IPV were more amenable to change than others. Higher levels of efficacy were identified in interventions that had longer follow-up, addressed IPV as a main aim, and occurred at the community level or multiple levels of the social ecology. CONCLUSIONS Findings should be interpreted in light of varying risks of bias. Suggestions are made for future research and practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cliodhna Cork
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
| | - Ross White
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
- Institute of Psychology, Health and Society, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Pia Noel
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
- School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland
| | - Niamh Bergin
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
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Wado YD, Bangha M, Kabiru CW, Feyissa GT. Nature of, and responses to key sexual and reproductive health challenges for adolescents in urban slums in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review. Reprod Health 2020; 17:149. [PMID: 32998741 PMCID: PMC7526107 DOI: 10.1186/s12978-020-00998-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Addressing adolescents' sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) requires an understanding of the socio-cultural and spatial settings within which they live. One setting of particular importance is the informal settlements or 'slums' that are gradually dominating the urban space. We undertook a scoping review and synthesis of existing evidence on adolescent SRHR in slums in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) focusing on the characteristics and nature of existing evidence. METHODS The scoping review was conducted based on Arksey and O'Malley framework and in accordance with the guidance on scoping reviews from the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) and using PRISMA reporting guidelines for scoping reviews. A comprehensive search was undertaken in PubMed, POPLINE, African Journals Online (AJOL), Bioline International and Google Scholar. The search was confined to studies published in peer reviewed journals and reports published online between January 2000 and May 2019. Studies were included in the review if they addressed SRHR issues among adolescents living in urban slums in SSA. RESULTS The review included a total of 54 studies. The majority (79.5%) of studies were quantitative. The bulk of studies (85.2%) were observational studies with only eight intervention studies. While half (27) of the studies focused exclusively on adolescents (10-19 years), 12 studies combined adolescents with other young people (10-24 years). The studies were skewed towards sexual behavior (44%) and HIV/AIDS (43%) with very few studies focusing on other SRHR issues such as contraception, abortion, gender-based violence and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) other than HIV. Most of the studies highlighted the significantly higher risks for poor SRHR outcomes among adolescents in slums as compared to their peers in other settlements. CONCLUSION Young people growing up in slums face tremendous challenges in relation to their SRHR needs resulting in poor outcomes such as early and unintended pregnancy, STIs, and sexual violence. The results of this review point to several potential target areas for programming, policy, and research aimed at improved adolescent SRHR in slums in SSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yohannes Dibaba Wado
- African Population and Health Research Center, APHRC Campus, Manga Close, P.O. Box 10787-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - Martin Bangha
- African Population and Health Research Center, APHRC Campus, Manga Close, P.O. Box 10787-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Caroline W Kabiru
- African Population and Health Research Center, APHRC Campus, Manga Close, P.O. Box 10787-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Garumma T Feyissa
- Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA
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Ogum Alangea D, Addo-Lartey AA, Chirwa ED, Sikweyiya Y, Coker-Appiah D, Jewkes R, Adanu RMK. Evaluation of the rural response system intervention to prevent violence against women: findings from a community-randomised controlled trial in the Central Region of Ghana. Glob Health Action 2020; 13:1711336. [PMID: 31935166 PMCID: PMC7006731 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2019.1711336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects one in three women globally and undermines women’s human rights, social and economic development, and health, hence the need for integrated interventions involving communities in its prevention. Objective: This community-randomised controlled trial evaluated the Rural Response System (RRS) intervention, which uses Community Based Action Teams to prevent IPV by raising awareness and supporting survivors, compared to no intervention. Methods: Two districts of the Central Region of Ghana were randomly allocated to each arm. Data were collected by repeated, randomly sampled, household surveys, conducted at baseline (2000 women, 2126 men) and 24 months later (2198 women, 2328 men). The analysis used a difference in difference (DID) approach, adjusted for age and exposure to violence in childhood. Results: In intervention communities, women’s past year experience of sexual IPV reduced from 17.1% to 7.7% versus 9.3% to 8.0% in the control communities (DID = −9.3(95%CI; −17.5,−1.0), p = 0.030). The prevalence of past-year physical IPV among women in the intervention communities reduced from 16.5% to 8.3% versus 14.6% to 10.9% in the controls (DID = −4.2(−12,3.6), p = 0.289). The prevalence of severe IPV experienced by women reduced from 21.2% to 11.6% in intervention versus 17.3% to 11.4% in controls (DID = −3.7(−12.5,5.1), p = 0.408). The direction of impact of the intervention on violence perpetrated by men was more towards a reduction but changes were not statistically significant. Emotional IPV perpetration was significantly lower (DID = −15.0(−28.5, −1.7), p = 0.031). Women’s depression scores and reports of male partner controlling behaviour significantly also reduced in the intervention arm compared to those in the control arm (DID = −4.8(−8.0,−1.5), p = 0.005; DID = −2.7(−3.3,−1.0), p = 0.002, respectively). Conclusion: Our findings indicate that the RRS intervention reduced women’s experiences of IPV, depression, and partner controlling behaviour and some evidence of men’s reported reductions in the perpetration of IPV. The RRS intervention warrants careful scale-up in Ghana and further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deda Ogum Alangea
- Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Adolphina A Addo-Lartey
- Department of Epidemiology and Disease Control, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Esnat D Chirwa
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Yandisa Sikweyiya
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | - Rachel Jewkes
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Richard M K Adanu
- Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
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Larson B, Cele R, Girdwood S, Long L, Miot J. Understanding the costs and the cost structure of a community-based HIV and gender-based violence (GBV) prevention program: the Woza Asibonisane Community Responses Program in South Africa. BMC Health Serv Res 2020; 20:526. [PMID: 32522172 PMCID: PMC7288692 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-020-05385-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Woza Asibonisane Community Responses (CR) Programme was developed to prevent HIV infections and gender-based violence (GBV) within four provinces in South Africa. The Centre for Communication Impact (CCI) in collaboration with six partner non-governmental organizations (NGOs) implemented the programme, which was comprised of multiple types of group discussion and education activities organized and facilitated by each NGO. To date, little information exists on the cost of implementing such multi-objective, multi-activity, community-based programmes. To address this information gap, we estimated the annual cost of implementing the CR Programme for each NGO. Methods We used standard methods to estimate the costs for each NGO, which involved a package of multiple activities targeted to distinct subpopulations in specific locations. The primary sources of information came from the implementing organizations. Costs (US dollars, 2017) are reported for each partner for one implementation year (the U.S. Government fiscal year (10/2016–09/2017). In addition to total costs disaggregated by main input categories, a common metric--cost per participant intervention hour--is used to summarize costs across partners. Results Each activity included in the CR program involve organizing and bringing together a group of people from the target population to a location and then completing the curriculum for that activity. Activities were held in community settings (meeting hall, community center, sports grounds, schools, etc.). The annual cost per NGO varied substantially, from $260,302 to $740,413, as did scale based on estimated total participant hours, from 101,703 to 187,792 participant hours. The cost per participant hour varied from $2.8–$4.6, with NGO labor disaggregated into salaries for management and salaries for service delivery (providing the activity curriculum) contributing to the largest share of costs per participant hour. Conclusions The cost of implementing any community-based program depends on: (1) what the program implements; (2) the resources used; and (3) unit costs for such resources. Reporting on costs alone, however, does not provide enough information to evaluate if the costs are ‘too high’ or ‘too low’ without a clearer understanding of the benefits produced by the program, and if the benefits would change if resources (and therefore costs) were changed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce Larson
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine,Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Refiloe Cele
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine,Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - Sarah Girdwood
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine,Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Lawrence Long
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine,Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jacqui Miot
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine,Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Ndungu J, Washington L, Willan S, Ramsoomar L, Ngcobo-Sithole M, Gibbs A. Risk factors for alcohol and drug misuse amongst young women in informal settlements in Durban, South Africa. Glob Public Health 2020; 15:1322-1336. [PMID: 32493132 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2020.1775866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol and drug misuse (ADM) pose a significant disease burden globally. Yet, there remains a gap in understanding risk factors associated with women's ADM, particularly those in marginalised settings. We investigated risk factors associated with ADM amongst young women in urban informal settlements in South Africa. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted on a sample of 680 young women assessing associations between sociodemographic factors, mental health, relationship factors and past year ADM. Alcohol misuse was assessed using the 10 item Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scale, with scores ≥8 defining misuse, a single item assessed past year illegal drug use. Alcohol and drug misuse were reported by 23.1% and 31.8% of the women respectively. In multivariable regression, alcohol misuse was associated with experiencing past year non-partner sexual violence, transactional sex with a main partner, past year drug use, and past week depressive symptoms, while drug misuse was associated with alcohol misuse, transactional sex with a casual partner, past year experience of physical and/or sexual IPV and having a functional limitation (disability). Results indicate ADM in informal settlements are shaped by violence and poor mental health. Interventions geared towards strengthening women's economic position and mental healthcare are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Ndungu
- School of Behavioural Sciences, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | | | - Samantha Willan
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Leane Ramsoomar
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa.,School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Andrew Gibbs
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa.,Centre for Rural Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Durban, South Africa
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Gibbs A, Myrttinen H, Washington L, Sikweyiya Y, Jewkes R. Constructing, reproducing and challenging masculinities in a participatory intervention in urban informal settlements in South Africa. CULTURE, HEALTH & SEXUALITY 2020; 22:535-550. [PMID: 31208294 DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2019.1614671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Participatory interventions with men and boys to transform masculinities are increasingly common to improve health and reduce intimate partner violence and HIV-related risk. Yet, despite this, there has been little consideration of how facilitators' own masculinities shape interventions. In this analysis of Stepping Stones and Creating Futures, a gender-transformative programme delivered to young men (aged 18-30 years) in urban informal settlements in Durban, South Africa we explore how facilitators' masculinities were employed to engender change in the masculinities of participants. We argue facilitators had to negotiate two tasks existing in some tension, the first, overt and the main aim of the programme: namely, challenging elements of the youthful masculinity at play in the lives of participants, such as exerting violent power over women. A second task was more covert: namely, establishing facilitators' credibility 'as men' in order to do this work with participants. Through strategies including clothes, mobile phones, jokes and storytelling, facilitators demonstrated to participants their 'successful' masculinity and could then engage with participants around emotions, non-violence and consistent condom use. This enabled facilitators and participants to undergo a limited processes of change, without 'compromising' their sense of masculinity, and without fundamentally challenging men's patriarchal privilege.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Gibbs
- South African Medical Research Council, Gender and Health Research Unit, Pretoria, South Africa
- Centre for Rural Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | | | | | - Yandisa Sikweyiya
- South African Medical Research Council, Gender and Health Research Unit, Pretoria, South Africa
- School of Public Health, University of Witswatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Rachel Jewkes
- South African Medical Research Council, Gender and Health Research Unit, Pretoria, South Africa
- School of Public Health, University of Witswatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Office of the Executive Scientist, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
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Willan S, Gibbs A, Petersen I, Jewkes R. Exploring young women's reproductive decision-making, agency and social norms in South African informal settlements. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0231181. [PMID: 32348303 PMCID: PMC7190118 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper explores reproductive decision-making among young women in South Africa's informal settlements and considers whether and how agency and social norm theory inform their decisions. Understanding whether, when and how young women make decisions about conception and motherhood is critical for supporting women to avoid unplanned, early motherhood. Qualitative data were collected from 15 young women in informal settlements in eThekwini, South Africa at three time points over 18 months, using in-depth interviews, participant observation and photovoice, and were analysed inductively. When the young women were teenagers and into their early twenties, and had not yet had a child, most paid little attention to whether or not they conceived. This shifted as they grew older and/or after having a first child, at which point many of the women began to express, and sometimes act upon, a greater desire to control whether and when they conceived and delay further pregnancies. At different times in their lives, both social norms and reproductive agency, specifically 'distributed agency' played significant roles in influencing their reproductive decision-making. Social norms held the most influence when they were teenagers and experiencing normative pressures to have a baby while young. As they grew older and/or had a first child they began to assert some agentic control around their reproduction. We therefore recommend that in order to improve the effectiveness of services and interventions supporting young women to delay unplanned pregnancies, programmers, researchers and policy makers must develop a better understanding of the role of social norms and agency at different stages of women's lives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Willan
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Andrew Gibbs
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
- Centre for Rural Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Inge Petersen
- Centre for Rural Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Rachel Jewkes
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
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Christofides NJ, Hatcher AM, Rebombo D, McBride RS, Munshi S, Pino A, Abdelatif N, Peacock D, Levin J, Jewkes RK. Effectiveness of a multi-level intervention to reduce men's perpetration of intimate partner violence: a cluster randomised controlled trial. Trials 2020; 21:359. [PMID: 32334615 PMCID: PMC7183134 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-020-4185-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Men’s perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV) limits gains in health and wellbeing for populations globally. Largely informal, rapidly expanding peri-urban settlements, with limited basic services such as electricity, have high prevalence rates of IPV. Evidence on how to reduce men’s perpetration, change social norms and patriarchal attitudes within these settings is limited. Our cluster randomised controlled trial aimed to determine the effectiveness of the Sonke CHANGE intervention in reducing use of sexual and/or physical IPV and severity of perpetration by men aged 18–40 years over 2 years. Methodology The theory-based intervention delivered activities to bolster community action, including door-to-door discussions, workshops, drawing on the CHANGE curriculum, and deploying community action teams over 18 months. In 2016 and 2018, we collected data from a cohort of men, recruited from 18 clusters; nine were randomised to receive the intervention, while the nine control clusters received no intervention. A self-administered questionnaire, using audio-computer assisted software, asked about sociodemographics, gender attitudes, mental health, and the use and severity of IPV. We conducted an intention-to-treat analysis at the cluster level comparing the expected risk to observed risk of using IPV while controlling for baseline characteristics. A secondary analysis used latent classes (LCA) of men to see whether there were differential effects of the intervention for subgroups of men. Results Of 2406 men recruited, 1458 (63%) were followed to 2 years. Overall, we saw a reduction in men’s reports of physical, sexual and severe IPV from baseline to endpoint (40.2% to 25.4%, 31.8% to 15.8%, and 33.4% to 18.2%, respectively). Intention-to-treat analysis showed no measurable differences between intervention and control clusters for primary IPV outcomes. Difference in the cluster-level proportion of physical IPV perpetration was 0.002 (95% confidence interval [CI] − 0.07 to 0.08). Similarly, differences between arms for sexual IPV was 0.01 (95% CI − 0.04 to 0.06), while severe IPV followed a similar pattern (Diff = 0.01; 95% CI − 0.05 to 0.07). A secondary analysis using LCA suggests that among the men living in intervention communities, there was a greater reduction in IPV among less violent and more law abiding men than among more highly violent men, although the differences did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion The intervention, when implemented in a peri-urban settlement, had limited effect in reducing IPV perpetrated by male residents. Further analysis showed it was unable to transform entrenched gender attitudes and use of IPV by those men who use the most violence, but the intervention showed promise for men who use violence less. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02823288. Registered on 30 June 2016.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola J Christofides
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, 27 St Andrews Rd, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa.
| | - Abigail M Hatcher
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, 27 St Andrews Rd, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa.,Division of HIV, Infectious Disease, and Global Medicine, University of California, SanFrancisco, USA
| | - Dumisani Rebombo
- Sonke Gender Justice, Juta Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Ruari-Santiago McBride
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, 27 St Andrews Rd, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa
| | - Shehnaz Munshi
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, 27 St Andrews Rd, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa
| | - Angelica Pino
- Sonke Gender Justice, Juta Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Nada Abdelatif
- South African Medical Research Council, 1 Soutpansberg Road, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Dean Peacock
- Sonke Gender Justice, Juta Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Jonathan Levin
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, 27 St Andrews Rd, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa
| | - Rachel K Jewkes
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, 27 St Andrews Rd, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa.,South African Medical Research Council, 1 Soutpansberg Road, Pretoria, South Africa
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Woolfork MN, Fox A, Swartzendruber A, Rathbun S, Lee J, Mutanga JN, Ezeamama AE. Empowerment and HIV Risk Behaviors in Couples: Modeling the Theory of Gender and Power in an African Context. WOMEN'S HEALTH REPORTS 2020; 1:89-101. [PMID: 33786478 PMCID: PMC7784798 DOI: 10.1089/whr.2019.0020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background: Young women and girls in Eastern and Southern Africa are at elevated risk of acquiring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) compared with men, largely due to power dynamics within heterosexual relationships that contribute to HIV risk behaviors. Few studies employ a comprehensive framework to examine divisions between men and women and HIV risk behaviors in an African context. Thus, we examined associations between levels of women's empowerment and HIV risk behaviors applying the Theory of Gender and Power. Methods: We used logistic regression (adjusted odds ratios or AORs) to assess associations between women's empowerment indicators and HIV risk behaviors (multiple sexual partners) and self-efficacy (ability to negotiate sex/sex refusal) with couples data (n = 12,670) from Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Results: Specifically, key drivers of high levels of empowerment among women were household decision-making involvement, female economic independence, and rejecting all reasons for wife-beating. Furthermore, higher levels of women's empowerment in coupled relationships was associated with safer sex negotiation in Malawi (AOR = 1.57, p < 0.05) and Zambia (AOR = 1.60, p < 0.0001) and sex refusal in Malawi (AOR = 1.62, p < 0.0001) and Zimbabwe (AOR = 1.29, p < 0.05). However, empowerment was not associated with the likelihood of the male partner having multiple sexual partners across all countries studied. Conclusions: These findings provide evidence that high levels of women's empowerment were associated with safer sex practices, although this varied by country. Policymakers should incorporate empowerment indicators to address women's empowerment and HIV prevention within African couples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makhabele Nolana Woolfork
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Ashley Fox
- Department of Public Administration, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Andrea Swartzendruber
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Stephen Rathbun
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Joel Lee
- Department of Health Policy and Management, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Jane N Mutanga
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Amara E Ezeamama
- Department of Psychiatry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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Winter SC, Obara LM, McMahon S. Intimate partner violence: A key correlate of women's physical and mental health in informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0230894. [PMID: 32240207 PMCID: PMC7117691 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Globally, one billion people live in informal settlements, and that number is expected to triple by 2050. Studies suggests that health in informal settlements is a serious and growing concern, yet there is a paucity of research focused on health outcomes and the correlates of health in these settlements. Studies cite individual, environmental and social correlates to health in informal settlements, but they often lack empirical evidence. In particular, research suggests that high rates of violence against women (VAW) in informal settlements may be associated with detrimental effects on women's health, but few studies have investigated this link. The purpose of this study was to fill this gap by empirically exploring associations between women's experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV) and their physical and mental health. Data for this study were collected in August 2018 in Mathare Valley Informal Settlement in Nairobi, Kenya. A total of 550 randomly-selected women participated in surveys; however, analyses for this study were run on a subpopulation of the women (n = 361). Multivariate logistic regressions were used to investigate the link between psychological, sexual, and emotional IPV and women's mental and physical health. Results suggest that while some socioeconomic, demographic, and environmental variables were significantly associated with women's mental and physical health outcomes, all types of IPV emerged key correlates in this context. In particular, women's experiences of IPV were associated with lower odds of normal-high physical health component scores (based on SF-36); higher odds of gynecological and reproductive health issues, psychological distress (based on K-10), depression, suicidality, and substance use. Findings from this study suggest that policies and interventions focused on prevention and response to VAW in informal settlements may make critical contributions to improving health for women in these rapidly growing settlements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha C. Winter
- Columbia School of Social Work, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Lena Moraa Obara
- Department of Sociology and Social Work, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Sarah McMahon
- Center on Violence Against Women and Children, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America
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Gibbs A, Washington L, Abdelatif N, Chirwa E, Willan S, Shai N, Sikweyiya Y, Mkhwanazi S, Ntini N, Jewkes R. Stepping Stones and Creating Futures Intervention to Prevent Intimate Partner Violence Among Young People: Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial. J Adolesc Health 2020; 66:323-335. [PMID: 31784410 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2019.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Young people, not in formal employment or education, face exceedingly high levels of intimate partner violence (IPV). We evaluated whether Stepping Stones and Creating Futures, compared with a wait-list control, can reduce IPV and strengthen livelihoods. METHODS A cluster randomized controlled trial with 34 clusters in urban informal settlements in eThekwini Municipality, South Africa. Participant inclusion criteria were aged 18-30 years, resident in the informal settlement, and not working or in education. A total of 676 women and 646 men were recruited from September 2015 to September 2016. At recruitment, participants were not blinded to study arm. Endline data were collected from March to October 2018 (24 months postenrollment). Analyses were by intention-to-treat and separate for men and women. No clusters withdrew; endline retention was 74.9% (n = 505) men and 80.6% (n = 545) women. RESULTS At endline in the intervention arm, men's self-reported past year IPV perpetration was lower (physical IPV [adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: .71, 95% confidence interval [CI]: .51-.97], severe IPV [aOR: .70, 95% CI: .52-.94], and sexual IPV [aOR: .74, 95% CI: .54-1.03]). There was no difference in men's controlling behaviors (β = .06, 95% CI: -.51 to .63) or past month earnings (β = .21, 95% CI: -.42 to .83). For women, earnings were significantly higher in the intervention arm (β = .97, 95% CI: .43-1.51), but there were no differences for past year IPV experience (physical IPV [aOR: .92, 95% CI: .62-1.37]; sexual IPV [aOR: .90, 95% CI: .64-1.28], severe IPV [aOR: .93, 95% CI: .66-1.31]) or controlling behaviors (β = -.01, 95% CI: -.88 to .86). CONCLUSION Stepping Stones and Creating Futures is effective in reducing men's self-reported perpetration of IPV and strengthening women's livelihoods, but not women's experiences of IPV. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT03022370. Registered January 13, 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Gibbs
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa; Centre for Rural Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
| | | | - Nada Abdelatif
- Biostatistics Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Durban, South Africa
| | - Esnat Chirwa
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa; School of Public Health, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Samantha Willan
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Nwabisa Shai
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Yandisa Sikweyiya
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa; School of Public Health, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Nolwazi Ntini
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Rachel Jewkes
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa; School of Public Health, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Office of the Executive Scientist, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
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Associations Between Lifetime Traumatic Experiences and HIV-Risk Behaviors Among Young Men Living in Informal Settlements in South Africa: A Cross-Sectional Analysis and Structural Equation Model. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2020; 81:193-201. [PMID: 30893127 PMCID: PMC6553984 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000002010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. Background: Qualitative research emphasizes men's experiences of trauma increase HIV risk. We seek to understand associations between experience of traumatic events and HIV-risk behaviors among heterosexual men in 2 trials in urban informal settlements in South Africa. Methods: Cross-sectional surveys among men in Johannesburg and Durban, South Africa, enrolled in intervention trials. Adjusted logistic regression and structural equation modeling assessed associations between men's experiences of poverty and traumatic events, and HIV-risk behaviors (inconsistent condom use, transactional sex, and number of sex partners). We explored mediated pathways from trauma to HIV risk through mental health and alcohol, and gender attitudes. Results: Among 2394 men, in adjusted logistic regression, transactional sex and 4 or more sex partners were associated with witnessing the murder of a family member, witnessing a murder of a stranger, experiencing excessive pain, been kidnapped, and witnessing a rape. More consistent condom use was associated with witnessing the murder of a family member, being kidnapped, and witnessing a rape. In 3 separate structural equation modeling pathways were consistent, trauma directly increased transactional sex, and past year sexual partners, and increased consistent condom use. Risk was increased through mental health pathways, and gender inequitable attitudes and practices. Conclusion: Men's HIV-risk behaviors in this population emerge at the confluence of poverty, traumatic experiences, and gender inequalities. Effective HIV-prevention interventions needs to reduce men's experiences of poverty and trauma, transform gender norms, and reduce the mental health impact of trauma.
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Closson K, Hatcher A, Sikweyiya Y, Washington L, Mkhwanazi S, Jewkes R, Dunkle K, Gibbs A. Gender role conflict and sexual health and relationship practices amongst young men living in urban informal settlements in South Africa. CULTURE, HEALTH & SEXUALITY 2020; 22:31-47. [PMID: 30762491 DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2019.1568578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Qualitative research suggests that men's inability to achieve dominant forms of masculinity may be related to HIV-risk behaviours and intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration. Using clustered cross-sectional data, we assessed how young men's gender role conflict was associated with HIV-risk behaviours in urban informal settlements in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Gender Role Conflict and Stress (GRC/S) was measured using a South African adaptation of the GRC/S scale comprising three sub-scales: subordination to women; restrictive emotionality; and success, power and competition. In random-effect models adjusting for socio-demographics, we tested the relationship with GRC/S sub-scales and sexual health behaviours (transactional sex, use of sex workers, ≥2 main partners and ≥2 casual/once off partners), and relationship practices (relationship satisfaction, relationship control, partnership type and perpetration of IPV). Overall, 449 young men (median age = 25, Q1, Q3 = 23-28) were included in the analysis. Higher GRC/S scores, denoting more GRC/S, were associated with increased relationship control and increased odds of having ≥2 casual or one-off partners and engaging in transactional sex. We found differences in associations between each sub-scale and sexual health and relationship practices, highlighting important implications for informing both theoretical understandings of masculinity and gender transformative efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalysha Closson
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Abigail Hatcher
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Yandisa Sikweyiya
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South Africa Medical Research Council
| | | | | | - Rachel Jewkes
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South Africa Medical Research Council
| | - Kristin Dunkle
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South Africa Medical Research Council
| | - Andrew Gibbs
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South Africa Medical Research Council
- Centre for Rural Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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Baloushah S, Mohammadi N, Taghizadeh Z, Taha AA, Farnam F. A Whole Life Of Threats: A Qualitative Exploration Of Lived Experiences Of Palestinian Women Suffering From Intimate Partner Violence. Int J Womens Health 2019; 11:547-554. [PMID: 31749637 PMCID: PMC6818532 DOI: 10.2147/ijwh.s216952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Violence against women is a widespread public health problem in the Palestinian community considered to be a traditional community. It is usually underreported due to cultural and religious issues. The present study was carried out in order to deepen the understanding of the feelings, thoughts, and perceptions of Palestinian women living in the Gaza Strip and suffering from intimate partner violence. Methods Hermeneutic phenomenological study was conducted. The recruited 11 Palestinian women suffering from intimate partner violence were selected via purposive means. Semi-structured in-depth interviews conducted from May to Sept 2018 were used to understand their lived experience. Data was analyzed through the Van Manen method. Results In the process of data analysis, living in a threatening world was the main theme that was extracted from the data. The theme refers to the condition that participants were committed to their marriage and are compelled to remain in a threatening situation. That was interpreted as a whole life of threats, which was labeled as the main theme emerging from three sub-themes. This main theme included 3 subthemes namely “live in a physically threatening environment”, “live in psychologically threatening environment”, and “live in sexual threatening environment”. Conclusion As revealed in our study, the participant suffered extremely from intimate partner violence and its consequences, which negatively affected their lives. However, their concerns about their children and lack of support were barriers for them to get a divorce; therefore, abused women need help to deal with their current lives like access to social and psychological counseling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suha Baloushah
- Reproductive Health Department, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, International Campus, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nooredin Mohammadi
- Nursing Care Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ziba Taghizadeh
- Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Asma A Taha
- School of Nursing, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Farnaz Farnam
- Reproductive Health Department, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Stern E, Gibbs A, Willan S, Dunkle K, Jewkes R. 'When you talk to someone in a bad way or always put her under pressure, it is actually worse than beating her': Conceptions and experiences of emotional intimate partner violence in Rwanda and South Africa. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0225121. [PMID: 31725768 PMCID: PMC6855458 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Emotional intimate partner violence (IPV) is extremely common and has significant health and social consequences, yet typically receives much less attention in research and programming than physical and sexual IPV. This limits our understanding of how women experience and understand emotional IPV in different settings, which is required to inform effective prevention and response. This paper draws on qualitative data collected in mixed-methods impact evaluations of two IPV prevention programmes conducted as part of the What Works to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls Global Programme. In doing so, we seek to develop a more nuanced understanding of the forms, causes and consequences of emotional IPV in heterosexual relationships in two distinct African settings. We draw on two rounds of in-depth interviews conducted with 15 women in South Africa and three rounds of interviews conducted with 57 women and men in Rwanda, all of whom were participants in the programmes, around their experiences of and conceptualizations of emotional IPV. Thematic analysis around emotional IPV was conducted and compared across both data sets, informed by a cross comparative analysis approach. The analysis found that the categories or types of acts perceived as emotional IPV by women experienced were similar across settings. Women in both contexts described public humiliation, control of mobility, access to housing and silencing as important categories of actions experienced emotional IPV. These types of emotional IPV were underpinned by similar patterns of gender inequalities, with the intention for men to assert control and power over women. The specific acts through which these categories of emotional IPV manifested in the two settings arose from contextual differences related to the social structure of relationships and dominant social norms. This analysis highlights commonalities in the underlying categorial understanding of IPV in two distinct African settings, and well as the differences in specific manifestations which stem from the social context of relationships. In doing so, we highlight both broad categorical areas of IPV that may be important to address in future research and prevention programming, as well as affirming the need for information on context-specific manifestations of emotional IPV to inform local intervention programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Stern
- Gender Violence and Health Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Andrew Gibbs
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Samantha Willan
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Kristin Dunkle
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Rachel Jewkes
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
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