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Factors associated with forced sex among women accessing health services in rural Haiti: implications for the prevention of HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases

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Listed:
  • Smith Fawzi, M. C.
  • Lambert, W.
  • Singler, J. M.
  • Tanagho, Y.
  • Léandre, F.
  • Nevil, P.
  • Bertrand, D.
  • Claude, M. S.
  • Bertrand, J.
  • Louissaint, M.
  • Jeannis, L.
  • Mukherjee, J. S.
  • Goldie, S.
  • Salazar, J. J.
  • Farmer, P. E.

Abstract

The goals of the current study were to: (1) estimate the prevalence of forced sex among women accessing services at a women's health clinic in rural Haiti; and (2) examine factors associated with forced sex in this population. Based on data from a case-control study of risk factors for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), a cross-sectional analysis to examine factors associated with forced sex was performed. A number of factors related to gender inequality/socioeconomic vulnerability placed women in rural Haiti at higher risk of forced sex. The strongest factors associated with forced sex in multivariate analyses were: age, length of time in a relationship, occupation of the woman's partner, STD-related symptoms, and factors demonstrating economic vulnerability. The findings suggest that prevention efforts must go beyond provision of information and education to the pursuit of broader initiatives at both local and national levels. At the community level, policy-makers should consider advancing economic opportunities for women who are vulnerable to forced sex. Improving access to community-based income-generating activities may begin to address this problem. However, the viability of these local projects depends largely upon Haiti's 'macro-economic' situation. In order to ensure the success of local initiatives, external humanitarian and development assistance to Haiti should be supported. By broadening the definition of "prevention" interventions, we may begin to address the systemic problems that contribute to the occurrence of forced sex and the increasing incidence of HIV infection throughout the world, such as gender inequality and economic vulnerability. Taking into account factors influencing risk at the local level as well as the macro-level will potentially improve our capacity to reduce the risk of forced sex and the spread of STDs, including HIV infection, for millions of women living in poverty worldwide.

Suggested Citation

  • Smith Fawzi, M. C. & Lambert, W. & Singler, J. M. & Tanagho, Y. & Léandre, F. & Nevil, P. & Bertrand, D. & Claude, M. S. & Bertrand, J. & Louissaint, M. & Jeannis, L. & Mukherjee, J. S. & Goldie, S. &, 2005. "Factors associated with forced sex among women accessing health services in rural Haiti: implications for the prevention of HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 60(4), pages 679-689, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:60:y:2005:i:4:p:679-689
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wyatt, G.E. & Myers, H.F. & Williams, J.K. & Kitchen, C.R. & Loeb, T. & Carmona, J.V. & Wyatt, L.E. & Chin, D. & Presley, N., 2002. "Does a history of trauma contribute to HIV risk for women of color? Implications for prevention and policy," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 92(4), pages 660-665.
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    Cited by:

    1. Persson, Asha & Richards, Wendy, 2008. "Vulnerability, gender and "proxy negativity": Women in relationships with HIV-positive men in Australia," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 67(5), pages 799-807, September.
    2. Luissa Vahedi & Heather Stuart & Stéphanie Etienne & Sabine Lee & Susan A Bartels, 2021. "The Distribution and Consequences of Sexual Misconduct Perpetrated by Peacekeepers in Haiti: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Analysis," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-33, July.
    3. Lori Hunter & John Reid-Hresko & Thomas Dickinson, 2011. "Environmental Change, Risky Sexual Behavior, and the HIV/AIDS Pandemic: Linkages Through Livelihoods in Rural Haiti," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 30(5), pages 729-750, October.
    4. Luetke, Maya & Judge, Ashley & Kianersi, Sina & Jules, Reginal & Rosenberg, Molly, 2020. "Hurricane impact associated with transactional sex and moderated, but not mediated, by economic factors in Okay, Haiti," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 261(C).
    5. Poulin, Michelle, 2007. "Sex, money, and premarital partnerships in southern Malawi," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 65(11), pages 2383-2393, December.

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