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Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration, Risky Sexual Behavior, and STI/HIV Diagnosis Among Heterosexual African American Men

Social Behavioral Sciences Department, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, anitaraj{at}bu.edu

Elizabeth Reed, ScD

Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, New Haven, Connecticut

Seth L. Welles, ScD, PhD

Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Maria Christina Santana, MPH

Social Behavioral Sciences Department, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts

Jay G. Silverman, PhD

Department for Society, Human Development, and Health, Harvard University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts

Evidence indicates that abusive male partners pose increased risk for sexually transmitted infection (STI)/HIV among females. However, research with males on this issue is limited. The objective of this study was to assess the associations between intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration and recent STI/HIV diagnosis, unprotected sex, and sex trade involvement among heterosexual African American men. In this cross-sectional study, heterosexual African American males aged 18 to 65 years who reported two or more sex partners in the past year were recruited from urban health clinics to complete a computerized survey assessing sociodemographic characteristics, IPV perpetration history, risky sexual behaviors, and substance use. Multivariate logistic regression analyses assessed associations between IPV perpetration and STI/HIV risk. More than half of participants in this sample (61%) were unemployed; 28.2% had less than a high school education and 23.1% were homeless. One-fifth of the sample (21.2%) reported IPV perpetration in their current relationship. IPV perpetration was significantly associated with recent STI/HIV diagnosis, unprotected anal sex, and buying sex. IPV perpetration is pervasive among heterosexually at-risk African American men presenting for clinical care, and those perpetrating IPV are at heightened risk for STI/HIV.

Key Words: violence perpetration • STI/HIV • risky sexual behavior

American Journal of Men's Health, Vol. 2, No. 3, 291-295 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/1557988308320269


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