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In sub-Saharan Africa, research regarding young people's intimate partner violence (IPV) experiences is scarce. We provide national estimates of the prevalence, characteristics, and correlates of IPV among adolescents (aged 13–19; n = 1,182) and young adults (aged 20–24; n = 1,648) living in Uganda. We analyzed the Uganda Violence Against Children Survey data. Descriptive statistics were conducted using age-and-gender stratified samples. We also examined logistic regression models using age-stratified samples and testing gender as a potential moderator. Descriptive results indicated higher lifetime physical IPV rates among young adults (24.7%) compared to adolescents (12.3%). We found no significant difference comparing adolescents' (16.9%) and young adults' (14.6%) lifetime sexual IPV rates. There were notable age group and gender differences when examining specific sexual IPV types and first physical and sexual IPV episode characteristics. Significant IPV correlates across both age groups included being widowed, divorced, or separated (adolescents: aOR = 4.6, 95% CI: 1.6–13.5; young adults: aOR = 5.2, 95% CI: 2.5–10.8), being female (adolescents: aOR = 3.9, 95% CI: 2.2–6.8; young adults: aOR = 3.0, 95% CI: 2.1–4.4), witnessing parental IPV (adolescents: aOR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.1–3.0; young adults: aOR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.2–2.6), and poorer mental health levels (adolescents: aOR = 1.1, 95% CI: 1.04–1.1; young adults: aOR = 1.1, 95% CI: 1.1–1.1). Gender moderated the relationship between age and IPV, but only among adolescents (aOR = 1.4, 95% CI:1.1–1.9). IPV programs that are developmentally tailored for Ugandan young people are needed. These programs should promote gender equality and consider gender intersectionality. Policy changes around child maltreatment and early marriage must simultaneously occur for program success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is associated with poor HIV care linkage and retention, medication adherence, and viral suppression. However, limited knowledge exists regarding potential mechanisms linking IPV to these outcomes. We aimed to (a) identify the top barriers to accessing HIV care experienced by women living with HIV (WLHIV) who report a history of IPV and have suppressed viral load (VL) versus unsuppressed VL and (b) understand how these barriers influence VL, comparing WLHIV with a history of IPV to WLHIV without a history of IPV. Study data come from newly diagnosed WLHIV in rural Uganda participating in the standard-of-care control arm of a randomized trial (n = 152). Descriptive results ranking mean scores from highest to lowest showed that, among women with a history of IPV, irrespective of viral suppression status, paying for transportation to come to clinic, having to wait at the clinic for long periods of time, and finding a clinic within reasonable travel distance were the top three barriers to accessing HIV care. WLHIV with a history of IPV were significantly more likely to have unsuppressed VL versus suppressed VL if they reported higher levels of difficulty finding a clinic within reasonable travel distance (RRR = 1.7, 95% CI [1.1–2.7]), getting permission to take time off from work (RRR = 1.5, 95% CI [1.0–2.9]), and finding time to come to the clinic for an appointment (RRR = 1.6, 95% CI [1.0–2.6]). The same relationships were not present among WLHIV without a history of IPV, suggesting these barriers and their effect on VL may be uniquely related to IPV. Interventions should address IPV and HIV care continuum outcomes in tandem, targeting barriers to accessing HIV care likely associated with IPV. Additional research is necessary to better understand how IPV relates to HIV care barriers and VL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research in Uganda examining HIV-positive status disclosure and IPV victimization is scarce, and existing findings may not generalize to community-based samples of men and women newly diagnosed with HIV in Uganda. We investigated the prevalence of lifetime IPV, IPV experienced between HIV diagnosis and 6 months following diagnosis (recent IPV), and IPV specifically related to a partner learning one's HIV-positive status among a sample of men and women newly diagnosed with HIV in a population-based study in rural Uganda. We also examined correlates of recent IPV, including HIV-positive status disclosure. The sample included 337 participants followed for 6 months after HIV diagnosis. Lifetime IPV findings showed that over half of the sample reported experiencing emotional IPV (62.81% of men, 70.37% of women), followed by physical IPV (21.49% of men, 26.39% of women) then sexual IPV (7.44% of men, 17.59% of women). For recent IPV, men and women reported similar rates of physical (4.63% and 8.29%, respectively) and emotional (19.44% and 25.91%, respectively) IPV. Women were more likely than men to report recent sexual IPV (8.29% vs. 1.85%); however, this relationship was no longer significant after controlling for other risk factors associated with sexual IPV (AOR = 3.47, 95% CI [0.65, 18.42]). Participants who disclosed their HIV-positive status to their partner had 59% lower odds of reporting emotional IPV (AOR = 0.41, 95% CI [0.21, 0.81]) than participants who did not disclose their HIV-positive status. Younger age, non-polygamous marriage, lower social support, and greater acceptance for violence against women were also significantly associated with experience of recent IPV. Overall, 12.20% of participants who experienced recent IPV reported that the IPV was related to their partner learning their HIV-positive status. Findings highlight the need for IPV screening and intervention integrated into HIV diagnosis, care, and treatment services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]