Epidemiology & Health Data Insights (ISSN 3080-8111) is an international, open-access, peer-reviewed journal that advances epidemiology by integrating health data science. It fosters multidisciplinary collaboration to address global health challenges through evidence-based research, promoting equity and guiding healthcare policy. The journal covers a wide range of topics including disease surveillance, predictive modeling, public health interventions, and big data applications, with an editorial team of experts in epidemiology, biostatistics, and public health.

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CURRENT ISSUE

Volume 2, Issue 1, 2026

(Ongoing)

Review Article

Association Between Gender-Based violence and HIV Risk in Sub-Saharan African Women: A Scoping Review

Vivian Ukamaka Nwokedi, Doreen Mensah, Wonderful Oluwatoyin Anosike, Chidinma Lorretta Gab-Obinna, Augustine B Nyumah, Ayodeji John Awoyemi

Epidemiology and Health Data Insights, 2(1), 2026, ehdi024, https://doi.org/10.63946/ehdi/17649

ABSTRACT: Background: Gender-based violence (GBV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are critical public health issues in Sub-Saharan Africa, disproportionately affecting women. Gender-based violence (GBV)—including intimate partner violence and sexual assault—fuels HIV transmission via trauma, coercion, and healthcare barriers. This syndemic demands urgent, evidence-based solutions to break the cycle of risk.
Objectives: This study aims to explore the prevalence, types, and socio-cultural, economic, and power-related factors linking GBV to HIV risk among women in Sub-Saharan Africa, and to assess the effectiveness of integrated interventions addressing both issues.
Methodology: In carrying out this review, a scoping review design was employed. PubMed, African Journals Online (AJOL), and Google Scholar were searched for peer-reviewed studies conducted across Sub-Saharan Africa focusing on association of GBV and HIV risks. Data was extracted on the prevalence of HIV cases linked to GBV, and interventions addressing such prevalence. A thematic synthesis was used to identify common trends and gaps in the literature.
Findings: This study found GBV prevalence rates ranging from 3.4–89.3% across included studies, with significant geographic and population-based variations. GBV was identified as a major risk factor for HIV, particularly in settings with high economic dependence and gender inequality. Integrated interventions combining HIV care and GBV services were found to improve health outcomes, though access remains limited in rural areas.
Conclusion: This study underscores the urgent need for integrated, multi-sectoral approaches to address both GBV and HIV. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies and the scalability of successful interventions in diverse settings. Policymakers must prioritize these intersections to reduce the burden on women’s health in Sub-Saharan Africa.