Open AccessDeterminants of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing and Acquisition Among Female Victims of Intimate Partner Violence
Author(s) -
Rosa M. González-Guarda,
Jessica R. Williams,
Weston Williams,
Dalia Lorenzo,
Cherelle Carrington
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of interpersonal violence
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1552-6518
pISSN - 0886-2605
DOI - 10.1177/0886260519827662
Subject(s) - medicine , domestic violence , psychological intervention , logistic regression , odds , hiv test , poison control , socioeconomic status , demography , population , injury prevention , psychiatry , medical emergency , environmental health , health facility , sociology , health services
The purpose of this study was to identify determinants of HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and acquisition among female victims of intimate partner violence (IPV). Data were abstracted from intake and HIV/STI testing forms from a family justice center, to identify the socioeconomic and abuse characteristics associated with requesting and obtaining an HIV/STI test ( n = 343) and acquisition of HIV/STIs ( n = 111). Multiple logistic regression using forward selection was used to identify predictors of HIV/STI testing and acquisition. Females experiencing greater risk of lethality were at higher odds of requesting an HIV/STI test; however, risk of lethality did not predict the receipt of an HIV/STI test. A history of sexual assault was associated with higher odds of acquiring HIV/STIs in the past year. Interventions are needed to facilitate HIV/STI testing among female victims of IPV, especially those with higher risk of lethality and a history of sexual assault.