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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.

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.

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., Author(s): Ijeoma Nwabuzor Ogbonnaya [sup.1] , Lauren A. Reed [sup.1] , Eddy J. Walakira [sup.2] , Stephen Ojiambo Wandera [sup.3] , Lydia Najjemba Wasula [sup.4] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.215654.1, 0000 [...]

Objective: Savings-group interventions—a form of microfinance involving a small group of individuals who meet regularly to save—have been found to decrease intimate partner violence (IPV) risk among women in countries outside of the United States, but such groups have yet to be used or tested for this purpose in the United States. This study explores whether young women IPV survivors formerly in foster care would be interested in participating in a savings group and whether IPV experiences influence this interest. Method: Survey data were collected from foster care alumnae ages 18–24 years who reported ever experiencing physical, sexual, and/or emotional IPV (n = 62). I analyzed close- and open-ended data using descriptive and regression analyses and content analysis, respectively. Results: Over half (54%) the sample reported interest in savings-group participation. There was no statistically significant association between IPV characteristics (frequency, recency, fear) and savings-group interest, but interest was significantly associated with not having full-time employment and being in a current relationship. Participants were primarily interested for social-support reasons. Uninterested or apprehensive participants reported concerns about money and participating with others. Conclusions: Savings groups may be acceptable for IPV survivors with foster care history if the groups are trauma informed and tailored to address economic and social-support needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unique service needs exist for expectant or parenting youth with foster care histories (EPY) and their families. Informed by Critical Ecological Systems Theory (CEST), this exploratory qualitative study presents findings from an inductive content analysis of in‐depth interviews and focus groups with EPY and service providers. The study included nine in‐depth face‐to‐face interviews with service providers (n = 5) and EPY (n = 4) as well as five focus groups with service providers (n = 23) and three with EPY (n = 7) to identify the characteristics of service providers, agencies and systems that may act as barriers to service utilization among EPY with a foster care history (n = 10) or juvenile justice history (n = 1). Service provider characteristics included negative attitudes towards EPY and/or those with child welfare experiences. Agency characteristics included a lack of workforce diversity, employee turnover, lack of training about diverse communities, restrictive enrolment processes and eligibility requirements, lack of childcare and transportation and limited accessibility of services. System characteristics included a lack of up‐to‐date information about existing services, territorialism, funding sources that do not prioritize interagency collaboration and a lack of communication/coordination among agencies. Implications include hiring and retaining a diverse workforce, providing training about diverse communities and implicit biases concerning young parents, developing navigation services specifically for EPY and developing processes for sharing data and communicating across systems that interact with EPY. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rise in the Latino population resulting from increased immigration to the United States over the past several decades has invoked increasing concern about factors contributing to the victimization of Latinas. The present study used the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being to explore experiences of physical intimate partner violence (IPV) and service receipt for IPV issues among Latina caregivers reported to the child welfare system for alleged child abuse or neglect. Results showed no significant differences in severity and overall rates of physical violence between immigrants and nonimmigrants, with the exception of the frequency of violence; U.S.-born women reported more incidents than immigrants. Despite experiencing a high overall rate of IPV during the previous year (33.0%), during the same period only 16.8% of Latinas reported being referred to services and 9.4% of mothers reported receiving services to address IPV issues. Despite evidence of disparities in use of other types of services by immigrant parents involved with the child welfare system, no differences in IPV service use were noted between immigrant and nonimmigrant mothers. Adjusting for covariates, neither nativity nor legal status was predictive of recent experiences of physical violence or service use. Potential reasons for these findings and implications are discussed., Author(s): Megan Finno-Velasquez [sup.1] , Ijeoma Nwabuzor Ogbonnaya [sup.2] Author Affiliations: (1) School of Social Work, New Mexico State University, 0000 0001 0687 2182, grid.24805.3b, , 11024 Montgomery Blvd., NE, [...]

Increased attention has been given to domestic violence as a risk factor for out-of-home placement; however, few previous studies have examined the influence of race/ethnicity. This analysis used data from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being to longitudinally compare time to out-of-home placement among a sample of 630 children with African American (n = 162), Hispanic (n= 95), and White (n = 373) female caregivers who reported domestic violence. Propensity score analysis was used to balance the group of caregivers based on observed characteristics. Findings indicated race was not a determinant factor of out-of-home placement; rather, other characteristics may better predict out-of-home placement among families affected by domestic violence. Recommendations for future research and practice are provided. Keywords Child welfare * Domestic violence * Foster care * Out-of home placement * Propensity score analysis * Race, As many as 15.5 million children in America live in families that have experienced domestic violence within the past year; 7 million of these children live in families that experienced [...]

We investigated 13 domestic violence (DV) and sexual assault agency directors' perspectives regarding Nigerian immigrants' experiences of violence, DV-related service needs, and best strategies for providing those needs. Directors across five U.S. states were surveyed. Descriptive analyses showed the most common DV types were controlling behavior and cultural/traditional. The most important DV support needs were informational, informal, and legal. Formal support from DV agencies, support groups, and law enforcement was rated the most helpful strategies. Participants wanted to learn more about Nigerian immigrants' DV experiences. Findings highlight implications for the development of Nigerian-specific DV services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an effort to further understand the impact of domestic violence (DV) on infant and toddlers' development, this research utilized data from the second cohort of National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW II) to examine the relationship between maternal DV and infant and toddlers' emotional regulation, and determine whether mothers' receipt of DV services mediated this relationship. The sample was limited to children aged 0 to 3 years and included (a) infants less than 1 year old (n = 603), (b) infants 1 to less than 2 years old (n = 310), and (c) toddlers 2 to 3 years old (n = 268). Infant/toddlers' emotional regulation was measured using mothers' response on the How My Infant/Toddler/Child Usually Acts questionnaire. In addition, data were collected to assess whether (a) active DV was present during the time of the Child Protective Services (CPS) investigation and (b) mothers received DV services during the past year. Study research questions were examined using a series of multiple regression analyses. Mediation was tested based on Baron and Kenny's recommended model for establishing mediation. The mediational model was not found to be significant; however, a positive relationship existed between maternal DV and emotional regulation among infants aged less than 1 year old (β = 1.61, p =.039). There were no statistically significant relationships between DV and emotional regulation in the other age groups. These findings highlight the need to provide CPS-involved families victimized by DV with services that focus on preventing poor infant emotional regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]