Back to Search
Start Over
Self-Perceived Risk of HIV among Women with Protective Orders against Male Partners
- Source :
-
Health & Social Work . 2008 33(4):287-298. - Publication Year :
- 2008
-
Abstract
- Previous research indicates that many individuals who perceive themselves to be at no risk of HIV have recently engaged in risky sexual behaviors (Klein et al., 2003; Schroder et al., 2001). Because HIV risk has been associated with partner violence (Maman et al., 2000), it is important to examine self-perceived risk and actual sexual risk behaviors among partner violence victims. Findings are from a study of adult women (N = 569) who were recruited from courts after they had obtained a protective order against a male intimate partner. Two groups were developed on the basis of self-reported perceptions of risk of HIV at the time of the interview (n = 341, no chance; n = 228, some to high chance). Three main findings from this study are discussed: (1) The number of sexual partners and illicit drug use were associated with women's self-perceived risk of HIV; (2) sexual behaviors within the relationship with the abusive partner were not associated with self-perceived risk; and (3) severity of physical violence and frequency of threatened or forced sex in the abusive relationship were not associated with self-perceived risk of HIV. Implications for social work practice are discussed.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0360-7283
- Volume :
- 33
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- ERIC
- Journal :
- Health & Social Work
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- EJ819035
- Document Type :
- Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research