The authors of the study claim that since the launch of the project, there have been 3 times more reports of domestic violence. Most complaints were from men who have sex with men. Dr. Nadi Ahmed presented a report on the results of regular screening of domestic violence among people living with HIV at the 18th European AIDS Conference (EACS 2021).
A team of scientists led by Nadia Ahmed worked to improve the usual methods of collecting information on domestic violence, drawing on medical professionals, information technology and the patients themselves.
The staff was obliged to regularly ask patients about the facts of violence, keep statistics, send reports. In parallel, patient reviews were collected through other resources. In addition, study participants who experienced domestic violence were referred to counselors and worked with a “advocacy team”.
Prior to the start of the project, only 11 patients living with HIV reported domestic violence (per year). And within 12 months of the study, the number of disclosures increased to 36 cases. Of the 47 patients who reported domestic violence, 64% were men and 36% were women. 80% of men were gay or bisexual.
The data was collected from March 2020 to March 2021, the study was conducted in the UK.
Experts emphasize that people do not always talk about violence the first time, so it is very important to ask this question regularly. The British HIV Association recommends asking patients about past or present intimate partner violence every 6 months. But these recommendations are not always followed.
“When I am asked if I have an allergy, it doesn’t bother me to say“ no ”every time. If I had allergies, I would like to be asked about it, because it is an integral part of my health. Likewise, we must address domestic violence issues, ”said one of the study participants.
Previously, scientists from the United States conducted a similar study and obtained the following results: 26% of patients living with HIV are regularly subjected to domestic violence by an intimate partner. Most often, bisexual women and people who are homeless are affected.