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Background: This study sought to document the prevalence of recent gender-based violence (rGBV) among seropositive women and to determine the association between rGBV and pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), condom use, and negotiation of sexual practices., Methods: A total of 304 seropositive women recruited from HIV clinics in the southeastern United States who reported being sexually active in the previous 6 months with 1 partner were included in analyses. Gender-based violence during the previous 3 months, condom use, and negotiation of sexual practices were assessed. Biologic samples for pregnancy and STI testing were collected., Results: A total of 10.2% of women reported a history of rGBV. rGBV was related to inconsistent condom use practices, pregnancy, and abuse stemming from requests for condom use. No associations were found between rGBV and negotiation of sexual practices and STIs., Conclusions: The prevalence of rGBV among HIV-positive women emphasizes the need for screening of abuse and highlights the need for the design and implementation of integrated intervention approaches necessary in addressing the needs of this population.

During adolescence, girls form self-concepts that facilitate the transition to adulthood. This process may entail engaging in risky sexual behaviors resulting in STD infection and pregnancy. This study assessed the relation between self-concept and unwanted, unprotected sex refusal among 335 African American adolescent girls. The second aim was to determine whether attributes of partner communication about sex would act as a mediating mechanism on this hypothesized relationship. These assessments were made within the context of several theoretical models (social cognitive theory and theory of gender and power). Self-concept was composed of self-esteem, ethnic identity, and body image, whereas attributes of partner communication about sex was conceptualized as frequency of communication, fear of condom use negotiation, and self-efficacy of condom use negotiation. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze data. The results showed that self-concept was associated with partner communication attributes about sex, which in turn, was associated with frequency of unprotected sex refusal. The hypothesized mediating role of partner communication was also supported. STD-HIV preventive interventions for this population may be more effective if they target self-concept as opposed to only self-esteem, incorporate an Afrocentric approach, and focus on enhancing several attributes of partner communication about sex.