Intimate Partner Violence and Increased Lifetime Risk of Sexually Transmitted Infection Among Women in Ukraine

Intimate partner violence (IPV) takes on unique dimensions when directed against transgender individuals, with perpetrators leveraging transphobia to assert power and control. Standard IPV measurement tools do not assess this type of IPV. Four questions to assess transgender-related IPV (T-IPV) were developed: (a) being forced to conform to an undesired gender presentation or to stop pursuing gender transition; (b) being pressured to remain in a relationship by being told no one would date a transgender person; (c) being “outed” as a form of blackmail; and (d) having transition-related hormones, prosthetics, or clothing hidden or destroyed. The T-IPV tool was administered to 150 female-to-male transmasculine individuals completing a study of cervical cancer screening in Boston from March 2015-September 2016. Construct validity was assessed by examining correlations between T-IPV and two validated screeners of other forms of IPV (convergent) and employment status and fruit consumption (divergent). The association between T-IPV and negative health outcomes (posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD], depression, psychological symptoms, binge drinking, number of sexual partners, and sexually transmitted infection [STI] diagnosis) were also calculated. Lifetime T-IPV was reported by 38.9%, and 10.1% reported past-year T-IPV. T-IPV was more prevalent among those who reported lifetime physical (51.7% vs. 31.7%, p = .01) and sexual (58.7% vs. 19.4%, p < .001) IPV than those who did not. Lifetime T-IPV was associated with PTSD (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.04, 4.80]), depression (AOR = 2.70, 95% CI = [1.22, 5.96]), and psychological distress (AOR = 2.82, 95% CI = [1.10, 7.26]). The T-IPV assessment tool demonstrated adequate reliability and validity and measures a novel type of abuse that is prevalent and associated with significant mental health burden. Future work should further validate the measure and pilot it with male-to-female transfeminine individuals.

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Women’s Healing Journey From Intimate Partner Violence: Establishing Positive Sexuality

Qualitative Health Research ◽

10.1177/1049732318804302 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 29 (6) ◽

pp. 779-795 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Meredith E. Bagwell-Gray

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Sexual Health ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Healing Process ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Process Data ◽

Transmitted Infection ◽

Wide Range ◽

Women's Healing

Survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) have an elevated risk for negative sexual health outcomes, including HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI). Given the unique risk contexts for survivors, there is a need for effective sexual health interventions that take into account the imbalances of power for women who are survivors of IPV. Toward the aim of informing contextually relevant intervention approaches, this article describes women’s strategies toward maintaining their sexual health in the context of violent, controlling relationships. Strategies are examined across women’s healing process. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-person interviews with women who had experienced IPV ( N = 28). Participants had a wide range of negative sexual health outcomes and commonly used an analogy of a journey to describe their healing. Throughout these journeys, women gained more confidence and ownership over their sexuality. Themes centered around enhanced self-acceptance, ownership of personal sexuality, and readiness for desirable sexual partnerships.

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The Syndemic Interaction of Intimate Partner Violence, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and HIV Infection among African American Women: Best Practices and Strategies

Journal of Aggression Maltreatment & Trauma ◽

10.1080/10926771.2019.1667464 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 1-17 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Phyllis W. Sharps ◽

Veronica P.S. Njie-Carr ◽

Kamila Alexander

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

African American ◽

Best Practices ◽

Hiv Infection ◽

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

African American Women ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

American Women ◽

Sexually Transmitted

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HIV/sexually transmitted infections and intimate partner violence: Results from the Togo 2013–2014 Demographic and Health Survey

International Journal of STD & AIDS ◽

10.1177/0956462417705970 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 28 (14) ◽

pp. 1380-1388 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Anthony H Nguyen ◽

Anna R Giuliano ◽

Alfred K Mbah ◽

Aurora Sanchez-Anguiano

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Hiv Infection ◽

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

Health Survey ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Demographic And Health Survey ◽

Community Based Interventions ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Hiv Test

Among clinic-based studies, intimate partner violence (IPV) has been shown to contribute to HIV/AIDS among young girls and women. Results from studies among the general population have been less consistent. This study evaluated the associations between HIV infection, any sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and IPV in a population-based sample of Togolese women. Data from the Togo 2013–2014 Demographic and Health Survey were utilized for these analyses. Women aged 15–49, who were currently married, had HIV test results, and answered the Domestic Violence Module were analyzed (n = 2386). Generalized linear mixed-models adjusting for sociodemographic variables, risk behaviors, and cluster effect were used to estimate HIV and STI risks with experience of IPV. HIV prevalence was 2.8%. Prevalence of IPV was 39% among HIV-positive women and 38% among HIV-negative women. Significant associations between IPV and HIV infection were not detected. Adjusted models found significant associations between experience of any IPV and having had STIs (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.25–3.35). The high rates of violence in this setting warrant community-based interventions that address abuse and gender inequity. These interventions should also discuss the spectrum of STIs in relation to IPV.

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