Domestic violence and HIV/AIDS infection risk
Kayunze,Kim A / 2002

Domestic violence may cause change in sexual behaviour, for example, by influencing one to practise sexual promiscuity, polygyny or polyandry. An increase in any of the three is likely to increase risks of infection by the deadly human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV). The extent of the violence is likely to vary with systems of bride price payment, common marriage systems and gender imbalances in a society or ethnic group. The general objective of the study from which this paper has emanated was to determine the associations among bride wealth payment, marriage systems, domestic violence and HIV/AIDS infection risk. The specific objectives were to: (a) Record the monetary values of bride wealth paid, (b) Find common marriage systems, (c) Find common types of domestic violence, and (d) Determine the associations among bride wealth, marriage systems, domestic violence, and HIV/AIDS infection risk. Data were collected in January 2002 from 60 women (30 from Morogoro Rural District and 30 from Morogoro Urban District). The association between domestic violence and HIV/AIDS was gauged using Pearson’s Chi-square test of significance. The results showed an overall significant association (p < 0.05) between domestic violence and HIV/AIDS infection risk. Based on the findings, it is concluded that domestic violence contributes significantly to HIV/AIDS infection risk. Therefore, it is recommended that gender education and campaigns against domestic violence be intensified to help reduce risks of HIV/AIDS infection.