To assess relationships between intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual health among South Asian women in Boston. Surveys assessed demographics, IPV and sexual and reproductive health outcomes of women in relationships with men (N = 208). In-depth interviews explored these issues with women with a history of IPV (N = 23). Subjects were majority Indian, non-U.S. citizens, and highly educated. Quantitative data were assessed by logistic regression, qualitative data by a grounded theory approach. About 21.2% of the survey sample reported IPV in the current relationship. These women are 2.6 times as likely to report discolored vaginal discharge in the past year (95% CI = 1.27-6.50), 3.1 times as likely to report burning during urination in the past year (95% CI = 1.52-6.31) and 3.4 times as likely to report unwanted pregnancy in the current relationship (95% CI = 1.33-8.66). Interviewed women described how abuse reduces sexual autonomy, increasing risk for unwanted pregnancy and multiple abortions. Study findings demonstrate the need for increased gynecologic health outreach to abused South Asian women in the U.S. © 2005 Springer Science + Business Media, Inc.

South Asian American women Women's health Battered women Pregnancy, unwanted Female genital diseases and pregnancy complications Emigration and immigration

immigrant Asian Interpersonal Relations gynecologic disease logistic regression analysis demography pregnancy complication Indian register human burning sensation middle aged health service Confidence Intervals priority journal controlled study comparative study Aged vagina discharge Spouse Abuse Cross-Sectional Studies interview United States Sexually Transmitted Diseases Humans medicolegal aspect micturition male Mandatory Reporting female Risk Factors qualitative analysis pregnancy sexual abuse Article women's health Questionnaires partner violence adult Reproductive Health Sex Offenses Patient Acceptance of Health Care Cultural Characteristics quantitative analysis Battered Women Asia, Southeastern health care need Boston health survey