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Abstract #158421

Michele R. Decker, MPH¹, Jhumka Gupta, MPH², Anita Raj, PhD³, and Jay G. Silverman, PhD². (1) Division of Public Health Practice, Harvard School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave, Kresge 705, Boston, MA 02115, 617-43205461, mdecker@hsph.harvard.edu, (2) Division of Public Health Practice/Department of Society, Human Development & Health, Harvard University, 677 Huntington Ave., Kresge 705, Boston, MA 02115, (3) Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences, Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany St., T2W, Boston, MA 02118

Background/Objectives: Evidence indicates increased risk for sexually transmitted infection (STI) among female victims of intimate partner violence (IPV). Findings from two smaller studies also indicate higher rates of sexual risk behavior among male perpetrators of such violence. However, data from larger and more generalizable samples of men, and including comprehensive IPV assessments are lacking. Such data are important to further our understanding of the links of STI and IPV among both men and their female partners. This report offers preliminary findings from a large community-based study of men to inform these issues. Methods: Men ages 18-35 (N=1715) attending four urban community health centers anonymously completed an automated computer-assisted survey instrument (ACASI). Participants self-reported their experiences of perpetration of physical and sexual violence against female partners as well as sexual risk behaviors and STI history. Results: Preliminary results indicate that approximately one third of men report perpetration of physical or sexual intimate partner violence (IPV). Men reporting such perpetration were at increased risk for multiple forms of sexual risk behavior and demonstrated increased risk for lifetime history of STI (ORadj 4.54, 95% CI 3.29, 6.27) adjusted for age and race. Discussion: Results will be discussed in the context of improving our understanding of sexual health outcomes among both perpetrators and victims of gender-based violence, and guiding prevention efforts for the interrelated public health issues of sexual risk and violence.

Learning Objectives:

• • Describe prevalence of IPV perpetration among a community-based sample of men.
• • Describe associations of men’s sexual risk behavior and STI with IPV perpetration among a community-based sample of men.
• • Generate directions for further research to clarify the mechanisms for the identified associations.

Keywords: Violence, Sexual Risk Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.