The Influence of Violence Victimization on Sexual Health Behaviors and Outcomes

Abstract

This study examines the implications of a history of personal violence on health and health behaviors. A secondary analysis of cross-sectional data involving adults (n = 214) from a semirural area in southern Louisiana between October 2008 and December 2010 was conducted to ascertain the association between a personal history of violence victimization and indicators of sexual health behaviors and outcomes: communication with sexual partners about HIV status, consistent condom use, and sexually transmitted infection (STI). While violence victimization is widely accepted as a risk factor for high-risk sex behavior, the mechanisms underlying violence victimization's influence on sexual health outcomes remain unclear. Bivariate analyses demonstrated a significant positive association between experience of physical abuse and lifetime history of STI. Surprisingly, respondents reporting lifetime physical violence were more than two times more likely to ask sexual partners about HIV status [odds ratio (OR) for physical attack = 2.23, 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 1.00-4.97; OR for physical injury = 4.60, 95% CI = 1.79-11.85]. Consistent condom use was not significantly associated with violence exposure in adjusted models. There was no evidence that communication with sexual partners mediated the relationship between experiences of violence and condom use. The link between personal history of violence and condom use may be mediated through alternative pathways beyond communication.

Predictors of Adherence to HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis and Retention in Care After an Episode of Sexual Violence in Brazil

“…The level of emotional and physical violence or intimidation suffered during the SV episode, the sometimes recurrent nature of exposure, the role of multiple and/or known perpetrators, the early age of the victim, and finally the lack of emotional support provided after the episode, all have an important impact on the short and long-term outcomes of SV 1 . In this context, lifetime risk of STIs was shown higher after a SV episode [7][8][9][10][11][12] . Several intertwining factors could mediate risky sexual behavior among SV victims: multiple sexual partners, inconsistent condom use, lack of access to STIs treatment, mental disorders (depression and anxiety), severity of alcohol and illicit drug abuse [9][10][11][12][13] .…”

“…In this context, lifetime risk of STIs was shown higher after a SV episode [7][8][9][10][11][12] . Several intertwining factors could mediate risky sexual behavior among SV victims: multiple sexual partners, inconsistent condom use, lack of access to STIs treatment, mental disorders (depression and anxiety), severity of alcohol and illicit drug abuse [9][10][11][12][13] .…”

Alcohol, Condom Use and Sexually Transmitted Infections: A Letter from Russia

“…Conversely, the sex without coercion was associated with a more frequent condom use [20]. The correlation between victimization and sexual risk-related behaviors is well established, the supposed mechanism being weakened assertiveness [21].…”

Self-Reported Sexual Behavioral Similarities and Differences Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men With Childhood Sexual Abuse Histories: A Qualitative Exploratory Study

“…Previous studies have concluded that generally CSA survivors engage in risker sexual behaviors (Abajobir et al, 2017) and experience further episodes of sexual victimization (Krahé & Berger, 2017;Ports et al, 2016)another risk factor for HIV and STIs (Latimer et al, 2017). Research on female CSA survivors has reported that the experience of being abused can lead to long patterns of oversexualization and undersexualization (Slavin et al, 2020), information which is limited among men, MSM, and YMSM.…”