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. 2000 Feb;90(2):208–215. doi: 10.2105/ajph.90.2.208

Violence victimization after HIV infection in a US probability sample of adult patients in primary care.

S Zierler 1, W E Cunningham 1, R Andersen 1, M F Shapiro 1, T Nakazono 1, S Morton 1, S Crystal 1, M Stein 1, B Turner 1, P St Clair 1, S A Bozzette 1
PMCID: PMC1446146  PMID: 10667181

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study estimated the proportion of HIV-infected adults who have been assaulted by a partner or someone important to them since their HIV diagnosis and the extent to which they reported HIV-seropositive status as a cause of the violence. METHODS: Study participants were from a nationally representative probability sample of 2864 HIV-infected adults who were receiving medical care and were enrolled in the HIV Costs and Service Utilization Study. All interviews (91% in person, 9% by telephone) were conducted with computer-assisted personal interviewing instruments. Interviews began in January 1996 and ended 15 months later. RESULTS: Overall, 20.5% of the women, 11.5% of the men who reported having sex with men, and 7.5% of the heterosexual men reported physical harm since diagnosis, of whom nearly half reported HIV-seropositive status as a cause of violent episodes. CONCLUSIONS: HIV-related care is an appropriate setting for routine assessment of violence. Programs to cross-train staff in antiviolence agencies and HIV care facilities need to be developed for men and women with HIV infection.

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Selected References

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