BACKGROUND: Sexual minority men (SMM) experience intimate partner violence (IPV) at elevated rates, which may be linked to an increased risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to provide evidence on the associations between IPV experiences and STI outcomes (e.g., syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia) among SMM and identify critical gaps in the literature to inform future STI prevention efforts.
METHODS: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guideline, we identified 10 published studies with available quantitative data from 27,241 individuals; nearly all (9 of 10) were cross-sectional in design.
RESULTS: A meta-analysis using random-effects model indicated that IPV victimization was associated with higher odds of STI diagnosis, with a pooled odds ratio of 1.60 (95% confidence interval, 1.20–2.13) and I2 of 77% (P < 0.01), reflecting significant variability among study results and relatively high divergence between individual study findings. Studies varied in IPV measures, recall periods, and STI outcomes, which were primarily self-reported. No study examined STI outcomes across the full IPV spectrum, including perpetration and bidirectional IPV, and there is a lack of qualitative evidence exploring how IPV experiences impact access to STI testing and treatment services.
CONCLUSIONS: This review highlights a significant association between IPV and STIs among SMM, underscoring the need for integrated interventions tailored to this group. Future research should use longitudinal, intersectional, and trauma-informed approaches to address overlapping stigmas and improve health outcomes, providing key insights to refine IPV screening and identify intervention targets.
Intimate partner violence victimization and sexually transmitted infections among sexual minority men: A rapid systematic review and meta-analysis
Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 53 (1), 1-8. doi: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000002202.