Private MD News

Violent experiences may lead women to make unhealthy sexual decisions

Category: Sexually Transmitted Diseases

A history of violent experiences may make women more prone to risky sexual behavior, according to a new study published in the journal Psychology of Violence. The findings suggest that these women may face a high risk of receiving a positive STD test.

In the study, researchers from Miriam Hospital questioned nearly 500 women who sought treatment at a local STD clinic about their history with violent experience and how often they engaged in risky sexual behavior.

The results showed that women who had a history of violent experiences, such as witnessing neighborhood altercations or being the victim of abuse themselves, were more likely than those without such experiences to engage in unprotected sex.

"Sadly, our results show that many women must cope with multiple forms of violence, and that some combinations of violent experiences put women at risk for HIV, other STDs or unplanned pregnancy – not to mention the risks from the violence itself," said lead researcher Jennifer Walsh.

She added that future investigations should focus on why violent experience push women to unsafe sexual practices. This could lead to the development of programs that help women avoid these types of problems.