Examining Nonconsensual Sex and Risk of Reproductive Tract Infections and Sexually Transmitted Infections among Young Married Women in India

This study analyses a 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 & physical violence and sexual health problems. 80% women reported experiencing coercive sex by husband ever in their life time. 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 inter spousal communication.