Ana Maria Buller

Occurrence and impact of domestic violence and abuse in gay and bisexual men: A cross sectional survey

Summary This cross-sectional survey measured adult experience and perpetration of negative and potentially abusive behaviours with partners and its associations with mental and sexual health problems, drug and alcohol abuse in gay and bisexual men attending a UK sexual health service. Of 532 men, 33.9% (95% CI: 29.4-37.9) experienced and 16.3% (95% CI: 13.0-19.8) reported carrying out negative behaviour. Ever being frightened of a partner (aOR 2.5; 95% CI: 2.0–3.1) and having to ask a partner’s permission (aOR 2.7; 95% CI: 1.6–4.7) were associated with increased odds of being anxious. There were increased odds of cannabis use in the last 12 months amongst men who reported ever being physically hurt (aOR 2.4; 95% CI: 1.7–3.6). Being frightened (aOR 2.2; 95% CI: 1.5–3.2), being physically hurt (aOR 2.3; 95% CI: 1.4–3.8), being forced to have sex (aOR 2.5; 95% CI: 1.3–4.9) and experiencing negative behaviour in the last 12 months (aOR 1.7; 95% CI: 1.2–2.5) were associated with increased odds of using a Class A drugs in the last 12 months. Sexual health practitioners should be trained with regards to the risk indicators associated with domestic violence and abuse, how to ask about domestic violence and abuse and refer to support.

‘Opening the door’: A qualitative interpretive study of women’s experiences of being asked about intimate partner violence and receiving an intervention during perinatal home visits in rural and urban settings in the USA

This study explored women’s experiences of being screened for intimate partner violence and receiving an intervention during perinatal home visits in urban and rural settings in the USA. Twenty-six women were recruited from the DOVE (Domestic Violence Enhanced Home Visit) intervention trial to participate in a nested qualitative interpretive study. Women valued the opportunity to discuss their intimate partner violence experiences and access support. Disclosure was a staged process and home visitor communication style and the development of a trusting relationship were influencing factors. Safety planning was an important feature of the DOVE intervention, whether the abuse was past or ongoing. Women highlighted the need for post-abuse support services. Perinatal home visitors require training in intimate partner violence that supports the development of good communication skills and provides opportunities for experiential learning and feedback with regards to asking about and responding to intimate partner violence. Reinforcement training activities are necessary in order to enhance home visitor’s confidence and comfort, and sustain practice. Rigorous protocols are needed to ensure the safety of home visitors and women.

“It’s Always Good to Ask”: A Mixed Methods Study on the Perceived Role of Sexual Health Practitioners Asking Gay and Bisexual Men About Experiences of Domestic Violence and Abuse:

Development of joint displays is a valued approach to merging qualitative and quantitative findings in mixed methods research. This study aimed to illustrate a case series mixed methods display and the utility of using mixed methods for broadening our understanding of domestic violence and abuse. Using a convergent design, 532 gay and bisexual men participated in a Health and Relationship Survey in a U.K. sexual health service and 19 in an interview. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed separately and integrated at the level of interpretation and reporting. There were inconsistencies in perceptions and reports of abuse. Men were supportive of selective enquiry for domestic violence and abuse by practitioners (62.6%; 95% confidence interval = 58.1% to 66.7%) while being mindful of contextual factors.

It's Always Good to Ask: A Mixed Methods Study on the Perceived Role of Sexual Health Practitioners Asking Gay and Bisexual Men About Experiences of Domestic Violence and Abuse

Development of joint displays is a valued approach to merging qualitative and quantitative findings in mixed methods research. This study aimed to illustrate a case series mixed methods display and the utility of using mixed methods for broadening our understanding of domestic violence and abuse. Using a convergent design, 532 gay and bisexual men participated in a Health and Relationship Survey in a U.K. sexual health service and 19 in an interview. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed separately and integrated at the level of interpretation and reporting. There were inconsistencies in perceptions and reports of abuse. Men were supportive of selective enquiry for domestic violence and abuse by practitioners (62.6%; 95% confidence interval = 58.1% to 66.7%) while being mindful of contextual factors.

It's Always Good to Ask

Development of joint displays is a valued approach to merging qualitative and quantitative findings in mixed methods research. This study aimed to illustrate a case series mixed methods display and the utility of using mixed methods for broadening our understanding of domestic violence and abuse. Using a convergent design, 532 gay and bisexual men participated in a Health and Relationship Survey in a U.K. sexual health service and 19 in an interview. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed separately and integrated at the level of interpretation and reporting. There were inconsistencies in perceptions and reports of abuse. Men were supportive of selective enquiry for domestic violence and abuse by practitioners (62.6%; 95% confidence interval = 58.1% to 66.7%) while being mindful of contextual factors.

O23.4 Understanding Domestic Violence as a Predictor of Adverse Health Outcomes and Sexual Risk-Taking Among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Between 15.4% and 51% of men who have sex with men (MSM) have experienced domestic violence (DV). The adverse health consequences of DV are well documented for women victims, but little is known about the association between DV and health outcomes for men who have sex with men. We aimed to establish if MSM exposed to DV had higher odds of experiencing adverse health outcomes or engaging in risk behaviours. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched 13 electronic databases to identify primary research studies reporting the risk of adverse health outcomes or risk behaviours for MSM experiencing or perpetrating DV. Of 4,653 identified, 17 were included in the review, of which 15 were cross-sectional and 2 cohort. The 17 studies described 16 datasets with 12,778 participants, reporting 82 estimates. All studies were included in the meta-analysis. We found that exposure to DV increased the odds of substance use (1·68, 95% CI 1·44–1·92), being HIV positive (1·4, 95% CI 1·19–1·62) and depression (1·6, 95% CI 1·28–1·92). Pooled crude odds ratios of the risk of unprotected anal sex in MSM exposed to DV were (1·49, 95% CI 0·67–2·30) with high level of heterogeneity among estimates. We conclude that DV has adverse health consequences for MSM. Exposure to DV is a risk factor for substance use, depression and HIV status. The evidence for the association between DV and sexual risk behaviour such as unprotected anal sex is less robust. There is a lack of cohort studies which limits the possibility to establish the direction of these associations. Studies are absent from Europe and low and middle income countries.