Influence of women exposure to Intimate Partner Violence of their Protective Knowledge, Attitude and Practices against Sexually Transmitted Infections: International Perspectives

Both of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) are worldwide problems. This study aims to identify the influence of women exposure to IPV on their protective knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) against STI. Methodology:  Data analyzed from Demographic & Health Survey of 20 countries: all used domestic violence module and collected information on sexual behaviors. IPV was defined as exposure of women to emotional, physical, severe, or sexual violence from husband/partner. KAP variables were computed as knowing the protective measures, and attitude of asking partner to use condom and practices as using condom and having one sex partner. Influence of IPV on women KAP and risk of having STI was measured through multiple regression analysis after controlling for women age, residency, educational and income levels Results: IPV was among 19% of the studied women. Women exposed to IPV were less to have protective knowledge (OR: 0.82; 95%CI: 0.81-83); and practices (OR: 0.73; 95%CI: 0.62-0.85), meanwhile it did not influence their attitude. Exposure to IPV increased the risk of having STI twice (OR: 1.9; 95%CI: 1.8-2.1). Running multiple regression analysis showed that the negative influence of IPV on both of protective knowledge and practices or its increasing influence on risk of having STI did not lose its significance. Conclusion & recommendations: IPV lower women protective knowledge and practices and increases their risk of having Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI). Programs working in prevention & control of STI should integrate protecting women from intimate partner violence.