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Article
Does Physical Intimate Partner Violence Affect Sexual Health?: A Systematic Review
Trauma, Violence, & Abuse (2007)
  • Ann L. Coker, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Abstract
Forty years of published research (1966-2006) addressing physical intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual health was reviewed (51 manuscripts) and synthesized to determine (a) those sexual health indicators for which sufficient evidence is available to suggest a causal association and (b) gaps in the literature for which additional careful research is needed to establish causality and explain mechanisms for these associations. Sexual health was defined as a continuum of indicators of gynecology and reproductive health. IPV was consistently associated with sexual risk taking, inconsistent condom use, or partner nonmonogamy (23 of 27 studies), having an unplanned pregnancy or induced abortion (13 of 16 studies), having a sexually transmitted infection (17 of 24 studies), and sexual dysfunction (17 of 18 studies). A conceptual model was presented to guide further needed research addressing direct and indirect mechanisms by which physical, sexual, and psychological IPV affects sexual health.
Keywords
  • spouse abuse,
  • partner violence,
  • unsafe sex,
  • contraception,
  • sexually transmitted infections,
  • urinary tract infections,
  • sexual health,
  • cervical neoplasms,
  • infertility,
  • pelvic pain,
  • hysterectomy,
  • review
Publication Date
April, 2007
Citation Information
Ann L. Coker. "Does Physical Intimate Partner Violence Affect Sexual Health?: A Systematic Review" Trauma, Violence, & Abuse Vol. 8 Iss. 2 (2007)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/anncoker/57/