Population Council Research that makes a difference

XXVII IUSSP International Population Conference
26–31 August

Abstract

"Examining nonconsensual sex and risk of reproductive tract infections and sexually transmitted infections among young married women in India"
Ajay Kumar Singh

This study analyzes cross-sectional data on married women (15–29 years) to examine their perception on sexual rights, gender roles and its association with experience of sexual and physical violence and sexual health problems. 80% of women reported experiencing coercive sex by husband ever in their lifetime. Of this 55% (p<0.05) reported coercive sex during last 12 months; 49% (p<0.05) reported physical violence and 71% (p<0.05) reported mental violence from their husband. Among the women who experience sexual violence (ever), 44% had at least one STD symptoms during the last 6 months compared to 27% who did not experience (p<0.05) and 59% (p<0.05) of women reported problems during menses. The odds ratio shows that women's perception that 'If a woman is married then she should be ready for sex with her husband whenever he demands' is the most significant predictor of coercive sex followed by interspousal communication.

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