Intimate partner violence and sexual health: voices and images of Latina immigrant survivors in southwestern United States.
Intimate partner violence (IPV), which describes physical and/or sexual assault of a spouse or sexually intimate companion, is a common health care issue across the globe. However, existing health outcomes studies are limited. Additionally, no study to our knowledge has specifically focused on the relationship between IPV and sexual health among Latina immigrants in southwestern United States. Through the use of photovoice methodology and a community-based participatory research approach, we assessed these types of relationships drawing on data gathered from 22 Latina survivors of IPV and 20 community stakeholders in El Paso, Texas. Participants identified two major themes: the different expressions of domestic violence and the need for access to sexual and reproductive health services. Community stakeholders and participants identified practical and achievable recommendations and actions including the development of a promotora training program on IPV and sexual health. This assessment extends beyond HIV and STI risk behaviors and highlights disease prevention within a wellness and health promotion framework.
Department of Social Work, College of Health Sciences, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA emmoya@utep.edu.
Eva M
EM
Moya
Department of Social Work, College of Health Sciences, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA.
Silvia
S
Chávez-Baray
HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at the New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
Omar
O
Martinez
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017058:Mexican Americans; D008875:Middle Aged; D033262:Narration; D010781:Photography; D060728:Reproductive Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
Latinas; border health; immigrants; intimate partner violence; photovoice methodology; sexual and reproductive health