Predictors of unprotected sex with non-cohabitating primary partners among sheltered and low-income housed women in Los Angeles County.
This study investigated associations of substance use, relationship abuse and HIV self-protective behavior with unprotected sex among 290 impoverished women with a non-cohabitating primary partner. Unprotected sex was associated with having a physically or psychologically abusive partner among low-income housed women, and having an abusive partner who also drank to intoxication among women living in shelters. Indicators of HIV self-protective behavior were associated with less frequent unprotected sex among sheltered women, even after accounting for abuse and substance use within the relationship. Results suggest the need for HIV-prevention interventions to address the problems of partner substance use and relationship abuse.
Tucker
Joan S
JS
RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA 90407, USA. joan_tucker@rand.org
Wenzel
Suzanne L
SL
Elliott
Marc N
MN
Hambarsoomian
Katrin
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015141:Los Angeles; D008875:Middle Aged; D011203:Poverty / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011638:Public Housing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D012931:Social Environment; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data