Lived experience of intimate partner violence among women using antiretroviral therapy and other outpatient services in Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia: a phenomenological study

Abstract Background Ethiopia is one of the nations which has an enormous burden intimate partner violence (IPV), and where it usually difficult to talk about HIV separately from IPV. Objectives This research aimed explore lived experience IPV against women using antiretroviral therapy (ART) other outpatient services in Wolaita Zone, Methods We used Interpretive (hermeneutic) Phenomenological Analysis design among purposively selected adult aged 18–49 years. A total 43 participated this study, whom 30 were ART, 13 health services. in-depth interview focus group discussions until data saturation, while conscious need maintain scientific rigor, dependability, credibility. The transcribed verbatim translated into English. read transcripts repeatedly understand content. NVivo 11 software assist with organisation, also, we framework analysis method. Results identified five themes, namely: “women's terrifying experiences violence,” “the effect on women's health,” “support/lack support /partner’s controlling behaviours,” “women’s feelings available services,” “IPV prevention strategies perspective women.” Interviewees described their violent included wife-beating, being stigmatised front others, having material thrown at woman’s face, wife’s hand teeth broken, forced sex, restriction movement, name-calling, threats hurt, insulted, left alone, withdrawal finances. negative impacts reported abortion, infection sexually transmitted diseases, disability, child’s death, depression. disclosure test information resulted violence. Inappropriate punishment perpetrator lack a supportive women’s network avert perceived as legal limitations. Conclusions considerable burden, varying its presentation impact health. Improved laws should provide justice for all victims. Establishing risk violence, be emphasised. Unwise result leads IPV; hence facilitated through care providers.