Domestic Violence and HIV Prevention Initiative

About

The Maryland Domestic Violence and HIV Prevention Initiative is a collaborative effort between the Center for Injury and Sexual Assault Prevention and Center for HIV Prevention and Health Services. The program aims to develop joint HIV and injury prevention activities by conducting statewide cross-training of domestic violence centers and HIV testing sites, developing linkages for HIV and DV resources and coordinating cross-departmental public health projects aimed at DV and HIV prevention. This program will raise awareness about domestic violence and HIV as co-occurring concerns among many Marylanders. Additionally, this program will provide state partners, community-based organization, hospitals, health care clinics, and domestic violence programs with the training and resources they need to address both domestic violence and HIV.

Quick Facts on the Intersection of Domestic Violence and HIV

Domestic violence and HIV have a bidirectional relationship.

Individuals that report a history of intimate partner violence are more likely to report other HIV risk factors, including unprotected sex and injection drug use1,2
Evidence shows that sexual, physical, and emotional violence against individuals increases their risk for HIV by 3 times3
Additionally 55% of women in the United States who have HIV report IPV, which is significantly higher than the rates for the general population (36%)1,4

Several studies have found that IPV impacts health care outcomes and the HIV care continuum for women living with HIV.2 HIV positive women with a history of violence are:

Not connected to care as quickly after diagnosis
Less likely to take antiretroviral therapy (ART)
More likely to fall out of care
More likely to experience treatment failure

Additionally, survivors of violence are 4 times more likely to seek treatment if they have talked to their doctor about the abuse.5

If you or someone you know are experiencing domestic violence, please call this 24/7 national hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

References:

1. Intersection of Intimate Partner Violence and HIV in Women, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Fact Sheet https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/ipv/13_243567_Green_AAG-a.pdf

2. The Intersection of Women, Violence, Trauma, and HIV, AIDS United Fact Sheet. https://www.aidsunited.org/data/files/Site_18/IntersectionofWomenViolenceTrauma3.pdf

3. Sareen J., Pagura, B., Grant, B. Is Intimate Partner Violence Associated with HIV Infection Among Women in the U.S. Science Direct. Published February 2009. Accessed August 2019.

4. Machtinger E.L., Wilson T.C., Haberer J.E., Weiss D.S. Psychological Trauma and PTSD in HIV-Positive Women: A Meta-Analysis. AIDS Behavior. Published January 2012. http://www.natap.org/2012/HIV/psychologicaltraumawomenhiv.pdf Accessed August 2019.

5. McCloskey L.A., Lichter E., Williams C., Greber M., Wittenberg E., Gans M. Assessing Intimate Partner Violence in Health Care Settings Leads to Women’s Receipt of Interventions and Improved Health. Public Health Reports. Published July 2006. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1525344/pdf/phr121000435.pdf Accessed August 2019.