Intimate partner violence perpetration among men and associations with sexual risk and sexually transmitted infection: Findings from a large community-based study

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.