HIV testing and tolerance to gender based violence: a cross-sectional study in Zambia
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Authors
Gari, Sara
Malungo, Jacob R. S.
Martin-Hilber, Adriane
Musheke, Maurice
Schindler, Christian
Merten, Sonja
Issue Date
2013-08-21
Type
Article
Language
en_US
Keywords
HIV Testing , Tolerance , Gender Based Violence , Cross-Sectional Study , Zambia
Alternative Title
Abstract
This paper explores the effect of social relations and gender-based conflicts on the uptake of HIV testing in the South and Central provinces of Zambia. We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study of 1716 randomly selected individuals. Associations were examined using mixed-effect multivariable logistic regression. A total of 264 men (64%) and 268 women (56%) had never tested for HIV. The strongest determinants for not being tested were disruptive couple relationships (OR = 2.48 95% CI = 1.00–6.19); tolerance to gender-based violence (OR = 2.10 95% CI = 1.05–4.32) and fear of social rejection (OR = 1.48 95% CI = 1.23–1.80). In the Zambian context, unequal power relationships within the couple and the community seem to play a pivotal role in the decision to test which until now have been largely underestimated. Policies, programs and interventions to rapidly increase HIV testing need to urgently address gender-power inequity in relationships and prevent gender-based violence to reduce the negative impact on the lives of couples and families.
Description
Citation
Gari, S., Malungo, J. R., Martin-Hilber, A., Musheke, M., Schindler, C., & Merten, S. (2013). HIV testing and tolerance to gender based violence: a cross-sectional study in Zambia. PloS one, 8(8), e71922. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0071922
Publisher
PloS One