Violence and sexually transmitted infections in pregnancy

Abstract

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: To synthesize the knowledge produced in studies about the association between violence and STI during pregnancy. METHODS: In this systematic review, we conducted basic activities of identification, compilation, and registration of the trials. The instruments of data collection were studies that investigated, explicitly, relationships between violence, gestation, and STI, from July 2012 to July 2017, using PubMed, Cochrane Library, SciELO, and LILACS. RESULTS: In all, 26 articles were chosen to form the basis of the analysis of this study. The relationship between violence and STI was observed in 22 of the 26 studies, and in eight of them, the violence was practiced during the gestation period. In two studies, there was no evidence of this relationship. In one study, the lack of care for STI was attributed to the unpreparedness of health professionals. Mental disorders were cited as resulting from STI in three articles and in another as a result of violence. One study found more frequent violence against adolescents, while two others cited gestation as a protective factor. CONCLUSIONS: IPV combines characteristics that have a different expression when the woman is in the gestational period. The literature points to a relationship between IPV against women and the presence of STI. The monitoring of pregnancy, whether in the prenatal or postpartum period, offers unique opportunities for the health professional to identify situations of violence and thus provide assistance.

Syndemics of Sexually Transmitted Infections in a Sample of Racially Diverse Pregnant Young Women

“…Interestingly, the class reporting the highest probability of STIs also reported the highest rates of partner violence and morning sickness and the second highest rate of prenatal cannabis use. This is consistent with current evidence linking STI, intimate partner violence and substance use (Seth et al, 2010;Teixeira et al, 2019). Women who are victims of partner violence are more likely to be minorities, report their partner engaging in sexual risk behaviors (e.g., inconsistent condom use) and are more likely to test positive for STI (Seth et al, 2010).…”

“…Women who are victims of partner violence are more likely to be minorities, report their partner engaging in sexual risk behaviors (e.g., inconsistent condom use) and are more likely to test positive for STI (Seth et al, 2010). These concerns continue to persist in younger pregnant populations (38), as demonstrated by the present study where we report that 74% of the women in the class characterized by greater likelihood of partner violence had previously tested positive for a STI (Teixeira et al, 2019). Strategies to reduce violence victimization are paramount and may be aided through syndemic approaches and public policies that address both sexual health, pregnancy intention, substance use in pregnancy, morning sickness, and support mental health.…”

La vulnerabilidad del embarazo en las trabajadoras del sexo

“…Sin embargo, debido a la estigmatización, muchos evitan denunciarla, especialmente cuando la realiza la pareja, por temor a represalias, evitando así mostrar siquiera la prueba del virus de inmunodeficiencia humana/síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida (VIH/SIDA) y la sífilis realizada en la atención prenatal, porque significa infidelidad (31).…”