Intimate Partner Violence and Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Young Adult Women

Abstract

Background Intimate partner violence (IPV) is common among young adult relationships, and is associated with significant morbidity, including sexually transmitted infections (STI). This study measured the association between IPV victimization and perpetration and prevalent STIs and STI-risk behaviors among a sample of young women. Methods This analysis uses wave 3 of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health and was restricted to the 3,548 women who reported on a sexual relationship that occurred in the previous three months and agreed to STI testing. A multivariate random effects model was used to determine associations between STI and STI-risk behaviors and IPV. Results The IPV prevalence over the past year was 32%: 3% victim-only, 12% perpetrator-only, and 17% reciprocal. The STI prevalence was 7.1%. Overall, 17% of participants reported partner concurrency and 32% reported condom use at last vaginal intercourse. In multivariate analysis, victim-only and reciprocal IPV were associated with not reporting condom use at last vaginal intercourse. Perpetrator-only, victim-only, and reciprocal IPV were associated with partner concurrency. Victim-only IPV was associated with a higher likelihood of having a prevalent STI (OR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.0-4.2). Conclusions This analysis adds to the growing body of literature that suggests that female IPV victims have a higher STI prevalence, as well as a higher prevalence of STI-risk behaviors, compared to women in non-violent relationships. Women in violent relationships should be considered for STI screening in clinics and IPV issues should be addressed in STI prevention messages given its impact on risk for STI acquisition.

Is Intimate Partner and Client Violence Associated with Condomless Anal Intercourse and HIV Among Male Sex Workers in Lima, Peru?

“…Our results mirror the findings of previous studies with other key groups, showing a significant association between violence victimization and high risk sexual behaviors, even after adjustment for confounding factors. (13,17,32,34,39,43,73) However, this study is the first to our knowledge that shows violence perpetration by MSWs is significantly associated with high risk sexual behavior. Further, this is the first study in which being a victim of IPV and client violence has been significantly associated with a biological outcome, HIV status, in MSWs.…”

Mediators of the Relation Between Community Violence and Sexual Risk Behavior Among Adults Attending a Public Sexually Transmitted Infection Clinic

“…Indeed, research shows that higher rates of community violence are associated with higher rates of intimate partner violence (Beyer, Wallis, & Hamberger, 2015; Raghavan, Mennerich, Sexton, & James, 2006; Reed et al, 2009; Stueve & O'Donnell, 2008). Further, partner violence is associated with sexual risk behavior, including more sexual partners and inconsistent condom use, as well as with a greater likelihood of STI and HIV infection (Hess et al, 2012; Mittal, Senn, & Carey, 2011; Phillips et al, 2014; Seth, DiClemente, & Lovvorn, 2013; Seth et al, 2010). Although partner violence has not been assessed as a potential mediator of the relation between community violence and sexual risk behavior, given its association with both of these variables, it is a plausible mechanism.…”

Relationship of Physical Intimate Partner Violence with Mental Health Diagnoses in the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample

“…The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines IPV as ''physical violence, sexual violence, threats of physical/sexual violence, and psychological/emotional abuse perpetrated by a current or former spouse, common-law spouse, nonmarital dating partners, or boyfriends/girlfriends of the same or opposite sex.'' 4,5 Previous studies have linked IPV to a wide range of adverse health consequences, including injury, 3,[6][7][8] chronic pain, 9,10 gastrointestinal disorders, [11][12][13] sexually transmitted diseases, [14][15][16][17] disability, 18,19 poor pregnancy outcomes, 20 substance abuse, [21][22][23] depression, 24,25 post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), 26,27 and death. 28 Clearly, a gender gap exists in susceptibility to violence in general and IPV in particular, with most national surveys suggesting higher IPV rates in women versus men.…”