New reports show that HIV-positive women may face more gender-based violence than HIV-negative women.
Women make up 50 percent of the 34 million people living with HIV-AIDS globally, and the vast majority of HIV-positive women acquired the infection as a result of heteros*xual s*x. World AIDS Day 2011, says the United Nations (UN), is about meeting a 2015 target to reach "zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths."
An increasing number of studies associate gender-based violence with HIV. Ensuring that at least half of all national governments address the HIV-specific needs of women and girls, and "zero tolerance for gender-based violence," are both included among the 10 UN goals for World AIDS Day 2011.
Some reports have also suggested that intimate partner violence -- including domestic rape -- could increase the risk of HIV for women, and similar associations have been made for men who have s*x with men.
In seven countries in East and Southern Africa, one recent research article looked at HIV among heteros*xual couples where one partner was HIV-positive and the other HIV-negative. When previously HIV-negative partners became positive they were more likely to report violence in the relationship.
Although there were no robust associations between violence and becoming HIV-positive, slightly more intimate partner violence was reported by partners who did become HIV-positive.
However, overall data on this issue remains inconclusive. Another study, conducted in 10 low and middle income countries including Haiti, India and Kenya showed no associations intimate partner violence and increased risk of HIV.
In recent years, public efforts have focus on women having greater control in preventing HIV using microbicides -- lubrication, or spermicides that also fight against HIV.
