Citation

Humphreys J. Health Care Women Int. 2011; 32(1): 23-38.

Affiliation

Department of Family Health Care Nursing, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07399332.2010.529211

PMID

21154072

Abstract

Women in abusive relationships are at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), but the strategies they use to protect themselves from such infections have not been studied. Using the descriptive qualitative approach of thematic analysis, I explored those strategies among formerly abused women and examined the role of pregnancy as a protective factor for both STIs and intimate partner violence (IPV). Women described creative strategies, but as the abuse continued, women came to realize that the only way to protect themselves was to leave the relationship. Health care providers are well situated to provide information and support to abused women.

Language: en