Citation

Champion JD, Shain RN, Piper J, Perdue ST. West. J. Nurs. Res. 2001; 23(3): 241-254.

Affiliation

School of Nursing, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/01939450122045122

PMID

11291429

Abstract

The relationship between sexual abuse and sexually transmitted disease (STD) represents an important and under-investigated 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.

Language: en