Integrated Intimate Partner Violence and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review Targeting or Including Adolescents

Adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa are at disproportionately high risk for intimate partner violence (IPV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The interconnected risks for IPV and HIV present the opportunity for interventions to concurrently seek to reduce violence and sexual risk behaviors among young people. Accordingly, the present systematic review evaluates interventions that concomitantly address IPV and HIV risk among adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa. The authors systematically reviewed electronic databases for studies meeting the following criteria: use of randomized control trials (RCT) or quasi-RCT in Sub-Saharan African countries; inclusion of adolescents aged 13-18 years; use of a comparison group (wait listed, designated to a comparative treatment, or treatment as usual); and incorporation of IPV and HIV outcome assessments. Results suggested that six studies have utilized rigorous research methodologies to evaluate integrated IPV/HIV interventions; however, few have targeted adolescents. The six studies meeting inclusion criteria indicate that current research on IPV/HIV is conducted with rigorous study designs among target populations with high IPV/HIV risk, using gender-specific risk reduction activities. The authors' findings indicate there is also the need for consistent application of valid and reliable outcome measurements of IPV and HIV risk. Additional research is needed to identify best practices for reducing IPV and HIV incidence among vulnerable adolescent populations in Sub-Saharan Africa.