Does Socio-Economic Status Modify the Association between Intimate Partner Violence and Symptoms of Sexually Transmitted Infections among Married Indian Women?

Amy K. Winter, Princeton University

Empirical evidence reveals that women who experience intimate partner violence (IPV) are at higher risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Little research exists to identify potential subgroups of women who experience IPV that are uniquely vulnerable to STIs. This paper explored whether SES modifies the association between physical and/or sexual IPV and self-reported symptoms of STIs. A cross-sectional investigation was conducted on 65,610 married Indian women sampled via the 2005–06 Indian National Family Health Survey-3. Results showed that 32.0% of the sample ever experienced IPV, and 9.6% reported at least one STI symptom. Women who experienced IPV are at higher risk of STI symptoms. However, we found no evidence that SES, measured by literacy and quintiles of wealth, modifies the relationship between IPV and STI symptoms. Women abused by their husbands are at similarly high risk of STIs regardless of their socio-economic status.