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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., 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 [...]

Violence Against Children and Youth Survey (VACS) data from seven countries were analyzed to estimate population-level eligibility for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-Free, Mentored, and Safe (DREAMS) HIV prevention program for adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). The prevalence of overall eligibility and individual risk factors, including experiences of violence, social, and behavioral risks differ across countries and age groups. A large proportion of AGYW across all countries and age groups examined have at least one risk factor making them eligible for DREAMS. Experiencing multiple risks is also common, suggesting that researchers and programs could work together to identify combinations of risk factors that put AGYW at greatest risk of HIV acquisition, or that explain most new HIV infections, to more precisely target the most vulnerable AGYW. The VACS provides important data for such analyses to refine DREAMS and other youth programming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescent girls and young women aged 13-24 years are disproportionately affected by HIV in sub-Saharan Africa (1), resulting from biologic, behavioral, and structural* factors, including violence. Girls in sub-Saharan Africa also experience sexual violence at higher rates than do boys (2), and women who experience intimate partner violence have 1.3-2.0 times the odds of acquiring HIV infection, compared with those who do not (3). Violence Against Children and Youth Survey (VACS) data during 2007-2018 from nine countries funded by the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) were analyzed to estimate prevalence and assess factors associated with early sexual debut and forced sexual initiation. † Among adolescent girls and young women aged 13-24 years who ever had sex, the prevalence of lifetime sexual violence ranged from 12.5% to 49.3%, and forced sexual initiation ranged from 14.7% to 38.9%; early sexual debut among adolescent girls and young women aged 16-24 years ranged from 14.4% to 40.1%. In multiple logistic regression models, forced sexual initiation was associated with being unmarried, violence victimization, risky sexual behaviors, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and poor mental health. Early sexual debut was associated with lower education, marriage, ever witnessing parental intimate partner violence during childhood, risky sexual behaviors, poor mental health, and less HIV testing. Comprehensive violence and HIV prevention programming is needed to delay sexual debut and protect adolescent girls and young women from forced sex., Competing Interests: All authors have completed and submitted the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors form for disclosure of potential conflicts of interest. No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.

Violence is a major public health and human rights concern, claiming over 1.3 million lives globally each year (1). Despite the scope of this problem, population-based data on physical and sexual violence perpetration are scarce, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries (2,3). To better understand factors driving both children becoming victims of physical or sexual violence and subsequently (as adults) becoming perpetrators, CDC collaborated with four countries in sub-Saharan Africa (Malawi, Nigeria, Uganda, and Zambia) to conduct national household surveys of persons aged 13-24 years to measure experiences of violence victimization in childhood and subsequent perpetration of physical or sexual violence. Perpetration of physical or sexual violence was prevalent among both males and females, ranging among males from 29.5% in Nigeria to 51.5% in Malawi and among females from 15.3% in Zambia to 28.4% in Uganda. Experiencing physical, sexual, or emotional violence in childhood was the strongest predictor for perpetrating violence; a graded dose-response relationship emerged between the number of types of childhood violence experienced (i.e., physical, sexual, and emotional) and perpetration of violence. Efforts to prevent violence victimization need to begin early, requiring investment in the prevention of childhood violence and interventions to mitigate the negative effects of violence experienced by children., Competing Interests: All authors have completed and submitted the ICMJE form for disclosure of potential conflicts of interest. No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.