Empowering women: intimate partner violence and its association with unintended pregnancies, contraceptive use, and HIV infection among Ugandan women: a cross-sectional population-based study in Wakiso and Hoima districts

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BACKGROUND: While the adverse effects of intimate partner violence (IPV) on sexual and reproductive health are globally recognized, research in low- and middle-income countries, particularly Uganda, remains limited. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the association between past-year IPV and HIV, contraceptive use, and unintended pregnancies among Ugandan women. METHODS: Data from the Africa Medical and Behavioural Sciences Organization collected during the 2019 Population Health Surveillance in Hoima and Wakiso districts, Uganda were analysed including 1,819 women aged 15-49. Binary logistic regression was performed to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AOR) at 95% confidence interval. This study used a cross-sectional design; therefore, causal inference cannot be established. RESULTS: Women with past-year sexual IPV had 3.2 times higher odds of having unintended pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 3.2, 95% CI: 1.72, 5.97). There was a borderline association between both HIV infection and physical (AOR: 1.67 95% CI: 1.00, 2.79) and psychological IPV (AOR: 1.42 95% CI: 1.00, 2.00). Contraceptive use was not found to be associated with IPV (AOR: 1.30 95% CI: 0.90, 1.89). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the link between IPV and unintended pregnancies is suggestive of a potential association. While the association between IPV and HIV was not statistically significant, it points to a possible relationship that requires further research. There was no significant association between IPV and contraceptive use. Given the design of the study, causal inference cannot be established; however, the results may inform future studies aimed at preventing IPV and improving SRHR outcomes in Uganda.

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