Armed conflict, HIV, and syndemic risk markers of mental distress, alcohol misuse, and intimate partner violence among couples in Uganda

AbstractNortheastern Uganda has suffered from protracted armed conflict and HIV/AIDS and has some of the highest rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) globally. Little is known about how exposure to conflict and HIV influence individuals ’ syndemic risk markers or those of their partners. We conducted a population-based study using multistage sampling across three districts in Northeastern Uganda. We randomly surveyed 605 women aged 13–49 years and estimated syndemic problems for currently partnered women (N = 561) who reported for their male partners. Syndemic problems were lower in the low-conflict district than the high-conflict district,p = .009. Conflict exposure was associated with couples ’ syndemic scores, respondent: β = 0.182,p< .001; partner: β = .181,p< .001. Problem scores were significantly higher among women whose partner was either HIV positive,p = .031, or had an unknown HIV status,p = .016, compared with those whose partner was HIV negative. The total effects of women's, β= .15,p = .034, and men's, β= .137,p = .038, armed conflict exposure on male-to-female IPV were significant. For male partners, there were significant total effects of having an unknown, β= .669,p< .001, or positive, β= 1.143,p< .001, HIV status on experiencing female-to-male IPV. These results suggest that syndemic problems and corresponding treatments should consider couple influences. Addressing mediating problems of mental distress and alcohol misuse may reduc...
Source: Journal of Traumatic Stress - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research