Gonzalez-Guarda and Colleagues Publish Article in Journal of Interpersonal Violence

Rosa Gonzalez-Guarda, associate professor, recently published an article entitled "Determinants of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing and Acquisition Among Female Victims of Intimate Partner Violence" in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence. Co-authors include Jessica Williams of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Weston Williams of Public Health Analytic Consulting Services; Dalia Lorenzo of the University of Miami Business School; and Cherelle Carrington of Flordia International University. 

Abstract

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.