Male Perpetration of Intimate Partner Violence and HIV Risk Behavior in Guatemala

John J. Hembling, Tulane University

Male perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV) results in negative health outcomes for female victims, including increased STI/HIV prevalence. Growing evidence suggests that IPV perpetration is correlated with sexual HIV risk behaviors, including multiple partners and transactional sex. Data from a sample of 4,744 currently married/partnered men from the 2008/2009 Guatemala Men’s National Maternal and Child Health Survey were used to assess these relationships. Nearly 17% of men reported lifetime IPV perpetration and 3.2% reported the behavior in the past 12 months. Multivariate probit regressions show an association between lifetime IPV perpetration and lifetime sex worker patronage (b=0.340, p<0.001). Past-year infidelity was associated with past-year IPV perpetration (b=0.368, p<0.001). Findings provide evidence that Guatemalan male perpetrators have elevated STI/HIV risk behaviors. Such men likely pose an increased risk of STI/HIV to female partners. Results suggest the need for integrated violence prevention and sexual health promotion targeted to men.