Sexual abuse and sexual risk behaviors of minority women with sexually transmitted diseases.
The relationship between sexual abuse and sexually transmitted disease (STD) represents an important and underinvestigated context of domestic violence. This study examined the association between sexual abuse, sexual risk behaviors, and risk for reinfection and HIV among minority women with STD. Mexican American and African American women (n = 617) with active STD entered a randomized study of behavioral intervention to reduce STD recurrence. Each underwent questioning at entry regarding sexual abuse and sexual risk behaviors. Comparisons of these behaviors using chi-square, t tests, and logistic regression were made by history of sexual abuse. Sexually abused women were more likely to have lower incomes, earlier coitus, STD history, currently abusive partners, new sex partners, anal sex, and bleeding with sex, placing them at increased risk for STD reinfection and HIV. Due to this association with sexual risk behavior, assessment for sexual abuse is essential in programs focusing on STD/HIV prevention.
Champion
J D
JD
School of Nursing, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, USA.
Shain
R N
RN
Piper
J
J
Perdue
S T
ST
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016015:Logistic Models; D017058:Mexican Americans / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013781:Texas