CRVAW Faculty Journal Articles
Abstract
Background: An emerging literature suggests that violence against women (VAW), particularly sexual violence, may increase the risk of acquiring a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and, therefore, may be associated with cervical cancer development. The purpose of this cross-sectional analysis was to determine if women who had experienced violence had higher prevalence rates of invasive cervical cancer.
Methods: Women aged 18–88 who joined the Kentucky Women’s Health Registry (2006–2007) and completed a questionnaire were included in the sample. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to adjust odds ratio (OR) for confounders (e.g., age, education, current marital status, lifetime illegal drug use, and pack-years of cigarette smoking).
Results: Of 4732 participants with no missing data on violence, cervical cancer, or demographic factors, 103 (2.1%) reported ever having cervical cancer. Adjusting for demographic factors, smoking, and illegal drug use, experiencing VAW was associated with an increased prevalence of invasive cervical cancer (adjusted OR [aOR]¼2.6, 95% CI¼1.7-3.9). This association remained significant when looking at three specific types of VAW: intimate partner violence (IPV) (aOR¼2.7, 95% CI¼1.8-4.0), adult exposure to forced sex (aOR¼2.6, 95% CI¼1.6-4.3), and child exposure to sexual abuse (aOR¼2.4, 95% CI¼1.4-4.0).
Conclusions: Rates of cervical cancer were highest for those experiencing all three types of VAW relative to those never experiencing VAW. Because VAW is common and has gynecological health effects, asking about VAW in healthcare settings and using this information to provide tailored healthcare may improve women’s health outcomes.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2009
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2008.1048
Repository Citation
Coker, Ann L.; Hopenhayn, Claudia; DeSimone, Christopher P.; Bush, Heather M.; and Crofford, Leslie, "Violence against Women Raises Risk of Cervical Cancer" (2009). CRVAW Faculty Journal Articles. 107.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/crvaw_facpub/107
Included in
Obstetrics and Gynecology Commons, Psychology Commons, Public Health Commons, Social Work Commons, Sociology Commons
Notes/Citation Information
This is a copy of an article published in the Journal of Women’s Health © 2009 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.; Journal of Women’s Health is available online at: http://online.liebertpub.com/loi/jwh