Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Previous reports have shown that forced sexual intercourse and other forms of gender-based violence are a persistent public health problem for refugee or internally displaced women. This investigation was conducted in nongovernmental organizationβoperated reproductive health clinics in the Barda, Yevlack, and Terter districts in Azerbaijan between May and August It was part of a larger study of reproductive tract infections and pregnancy among displaced women.
Women attending the clinics were approached by female clinical staff and asked to participate in a study of reproductive health. Informed consent was obtained from nonpregnant, to year-old, sexually active volunteers. Women were excluded if they had had a hysterectomy, were in menopause, or had used antibiotics in the past 30 days.
Analysis was conducted to characterize the study group and the prevalence of forced sexual intercourse. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify correlates of self-reported forced sexual intercourse. This analysis evaluated 16 potential correlates of forced sexual intercourse that can be assessed during brief clinical encounters.
These variables were grouped into 4 broad domains: 1 demographics, 2 living situation, 3 sexual behavior and reproductive history, and 4 gynecologic conditions diagnosed syndromically. Not having enough money for basic necessities in the past 3 months was negatively associated with forced sexual intercourse.
Abortion, genital ulcers, and lower abdominal pain were positively associated with forced sexual intercourse. One of every 5 women in this study reported being forced to have sexual intercourse in the past year. Women who had been physically attacked, had had at least 1 abortion, and had syndromic diagnoses of genital ulcers or lower abdominal pain were more likely to have recently experienced forced sexual intercourse. The prevalence of forced sexual intercourse in this study group is similar to that cited in reports from other refugee settings.
