Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Sexual Relationship Power and Semen Exposure Among Female Patients at a Sexually Transmitted Infection Clinic in Kingston, Jamaica

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Archives of Sexual Behavior Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Women’s power in sexual relationships is thought to be an important predictor of condom use. However, research on correlates of condom use often relies on participant reporting of behavior, which has questionable validity. We evaluated the association between scores from the modified Sexual Relationship Power Scale (SRPS-M) and biological detection of semen exposure in a prospective study of adult women attending a sexually transmitted infection clinic in Kingston, Jamaica with cervicitis or abnormal vaginal discharge in 2010–2011. At enrollment, women were counseled to avoid sex while on treatment and were asked to return in 6 days for a follow-up visit. At both study visits, women were administered a questionnaire and had vaginal swabs collected to test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a biological marker of recent semen exposure. We found no significant association at enrollment or follow-up between SRPS-M scores and semen exposure, as measured with either self-reported data or PSA positivity. Semen biomarkers could be used to develop and validate new scales on relationship power and self-efficacy related to condom use.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Amaro, H., Larson, M., Zhang, A., Acevedo, A., Dai, J., & Matsumoto, A. (2007). Effects of trauma intervention on HIV sexual risk behaviors among women with co-occurring disorders in substance abuse treatment. Journal of Community Psychology, 35, 895–908.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, C., Gallo, M. F., Hylton-Kong, T., Steiner, M. J., Hobbs, M. M., Macaluso, M., … Warner, L. (2013). Randomized controlled trial on the effectiveness of counseling messages for avoiding unprotected sexual intercourse during STI and RTI treatment among female patients. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 40, 105–110.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Black, D. S., Sun, P., Rohrbach, L. A., & Sussman, S. (2011). Decision-making style and gender moderation of the self-efficacy-condom use link among adolescents and young adults: Informing targeted STI/HIV prevention programs. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 165, 320–325.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Buvé, A., Bishikwabo-Nsarhaza, K., & Mutangadura, G. (2002). The spread and effect of HIV-1 infection in sub-Saharan Africa. Lancet, 359, 2011–2027.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, A. N., Tross, S., Dworkin, S. L., Hu, M. C., Manuel, J., Pavlicova, M., & Nunes, E. V. (2009). Relationship power and sexual risk among women in community-based substance abuse treatment. Journal of Urban Health, 86, 951–964.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Connell, R. (1987). Gender and power. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crosby, R. A., DiClemente, R. J., Salazar, L. F., Wingood, G. M., McDermott-Sales, J., Young, A. M., & Rose, E. (2013). Predictors of consistent condom use among young African American women. AIDS and Behavior, 17, 865–871.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Do, M., & Fu, H. (2011). Is women’s self-efficacy in negotiating sexual decisionmaking associated with condom use in marital relationships in Vietnam? Studies in Family Planning, 42, 273–282.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dreher, M., & Hudgins, R. (2010). Maternal conjugal multiplicity and child development in rural Jamaica. Family Relations, 59, 495–505.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dunkle, K. L., Jewkes, R. K., Brown, H. C., Gray, G. E., McIntyre, J. A., & Harlow, S. D. (2004). Gender-based violence, relationship power, and risk of HIV infection in women attending antenatal clinics in South Africa. Lancet, 363, 1415–1421.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eggers, S. M., Aarø, L. E., Bos, A. E., Mathews, C., & de Vries, H. (2014). Predicting condom use in South Africa: A test of two integrative models. AIDS and Behavior, 18, 135–145.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Emerson, R. M. (1981). Social exchange theory. In M. Rosenberg & R. H. Turner (Eds.), Social psychology: Sociological perspectives (pp. 30–65). New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gallo, M. F., Steiner, M. J., Hobbs, M. M., Warner, L., Jamieson, D. J., & Macaluso, M. (2013). Biological markers of semen exposure: Tools for improving the assessment of sexual behavior in HIV/STI prevention research. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 40, 447–452.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gallo, M. F., Steiner, M. J., Hobbs, M. M., Weaver, M. A., Hoke, T. H., Van Damme, K., … Macaluso, M. (2010). Predictors of unprotected sex: Comparison of semen biomarker and self-reported data. AIDS and Behavior, 14, 1279–1286.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Higgins, J. A., & Hirsch, J. S. (2008). Pleasure, power, and inequality: Incorporating sexuality into research on contraceptive use. American Journal of Public Health, 98, 1803–1813.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Hobbs, M. M., Steiner, M. J., Rich, K. D., Gallo, M. F., Warner, D. L., & Macaluso, M. (2009). Good performance of rapid prostate-specific antigen test for detection of semen exposure in women: Implications for qualitative research. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 36, 501–506.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Jewkes, R. K., Dunkle, K., Nduna, M., & Shai, N. (2010). Intimate partner violence, relationship power inequity, and incidence of HIV infection in young women in South Africa: A cohort study. Lancet, 376, 41–48.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kershaw, T. S., Small, M., Joseph, G., Theodore, M., Bateau, R., & Frederic, R. (2006). The influence of power on HIV risk among pregnant women in rural Haiti. AIDS and Behavior, 10, 309–318.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Knudsen, H. K., Leukefeld, C., Havens, J. R., Duvall, J. L., Oser, C. B., Staton-Tindall, M., … Inciardi, J. A. (2008). Partner relationships and HIV risk behaviors among women offenders. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 40, 471–481.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Koblin, B. A., Hoover, D. R., Xu, G., Frye, V., Latka, M. H., Lucy, D., & Bonner, S. (2010). Correlates of anal intercourse vary by partner type among substance-using women: Baseline data from the UNITY study. AIDS and Behavior, 14, 132–140.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lawson, M. L., Macaluso, M., Bloom, A., Hortin, G., Hammond, K. R., & Blackwell, R. (1998). Objective markers of condom failure. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 25, 427–432.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Macaluso, M., Lawson, L., Akers, R., Valappil, T., Hammond, K., Blackwell, R., & Hortin, G. (1999). Prostate-specific antigen in vaginal fluid as a biologic marker of condom failure. Contraception, 59, 195–201.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Magee, E. M., Small, M., Frederic, R., Joseph, G., & Kershaw, T. (2006). Determinants of HIV/AIDS risk behaviors in expectant fathers in Haiti. Journal of Urban Health, 83, 625–636.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Marston, C., & King, E. (2006). Factors that shape young people’s sexual behaviour: A systematic review. Lancet, 368, 1581–1586.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McMahon, J. M., Volpe, E. M., Klostermann, K., Trabold, N., & Xue, Y. (2015). A systematic review of the psychometric properties of the Sexual Relationship Power Scale in HIV/AIDS research. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 44, 267–294.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Peipert, J. F., Lapane, K. L., Allsworth, J. E., Redding, C. A., Blume, J. L., Lozowski, F., & Stein, M. D. (2007). Women at risk for sexually transmitted diseases: Correlates of intercourse without barrier contraception. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 197(474), e1–e8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pettifor, A. E., Measham, D. M., Rees, H. V., & Padian, N. S. (2004). Sexual power and HIV risk, South Africa. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 10, 1996–2004.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Prochaska, J. O., Redding, C. A., Harlow, L. L., Rossi, J. S., & Velicer, W. F. (1994). The transtheoretical model of change and HIV prevention: A review. Health Education Quarterly, 21, 471–486.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pulerwitz, J., Amaro, H., De Jong, W., Gortmaker, S. L., & Rudd, R. (2002). Relationship power, condom use and HIV risk among women in the USA. AIDS Care, 14, 789–800.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pulerwitz, J., Gortmaker, S. L., & De Jong, W. (2000). Measuring relationship power in HIV/STD research. Sex Roles, 42, 637–660.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schroder, K. E., Carey, M. P., & Vanable, P. A. (2003). Methodological challenges in research on sexual risk behavior: II. Accuracy of self-reports. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 26, 104–123.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Shih, S. L., Kebodeaux, C. A., Secura, G. M., Allsworth, J. E., Madden, T., & Peipert, J. F. (2011). Baseline correlates of inconsistent and incorrect condom use among sexually active women in the contraceptive CHOICE Project. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 38, 1012–1019.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Stuart, G. S., & Grimes, D. A. (2009). Social desirability bias in family planning studies: A neglected problem. Contraception, 80, 108–112.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tietelman, A. M., Ratcliffe, S. J., Morales-Aleman, M. M., & Sullivan, C. M. (2008). Sexual relationship power, intimate partner violence, and condom use among minority urban girls. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 23, 1694–1712.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • United Nations Millennium Project. (2010). Combating AIDS in the developing world. Task Force on HIV/AIDS, Malaria, TB, and Access to Essential Medicines, Working Group on HIV/AIDS.

  • United Nations Population Fund. (2005). The promise of equality: Gender equity, reproductive health and the Millennium Development Goals. Retrieved May 9, 2016, from http://www.unfpa.org/publications/state-world-population-2005.

  • Weeks, M. R., Li, J., Coman, E., Abbott, M., Sylla, L., Corbett, M., & Dickson-Gomez, J. (2010). Multilevel social influences on female condom use and adoption among women in the urban United States. AIDS Patient Care and STDs, 24, 297–309.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Weinhardt, L. S., Forsyth, A. D., Carey, M. P., Jaworski, B. C., & Durant, L. E. (1998). Reliability and validity of self-report measures of HIV-related sexual behavior: Progress since 1990 and recommendations for research and practice. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 27, 155–180.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Wingood, G. M., & DiClemente, R. J. (2000). Application of the theory of gender and power to examine HIV-related exposures, risk factors, and effective interventions for women. Health Education & Behavior, 27, 539–565.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization. (2009). Women and health: Today’s evidence tomorrow’s agenda. Geneva: WHO. Retrieved May 9, 2016 from http://www.who.int/gender-equity-rights/knowledge/9789241563857/en/.

Download references

Acknowledgments

The trial was funded by the Division of Reproductive Health, CDC through a cooperative agreement maintained by USAID with FHI 360 (Contraceptive and Reproductive Health Technology Research and Utilization Project (CRTU), Agreement No. GPO-A-00-05-00022). Laboratory activities for the study were supported in part by the Southeastern Sexually Transmitted Infections Cooperative Research Center of the NIAID (U19-AI031496). The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the CDC.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, 324 Cunz Hall, 1841 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210-1351, USA

    Maria F. Gallo

  2. Division of Reproductive Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, Mail Stop K-34, Atlanta, GA, 30341-3724, USA

    Jennifer Legardy-Williams & Lee Warner

  3. Clinical Sciences Division, FHI 360, 2224 E NC Hwy 54, Durham, NC, 27713, USA

    Markus J. Steiner & Elizabeth Costenbader

  4. Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, MLC 5041, 3333 Burnet Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45229-3039, USA

    Maurizio Macaluso

  5. Health Services Research and Evaluation Branch, Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Marion Carter

  6. Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB #7031, 8317 MBRB, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA

    Marcia M. Hobbs

  7. Comprehensive Health Centre/Epidemiology Research and Training Unit, Jamaica Ministry of Health, 55 Slipe Pen Rd, Kingston, Jamaica

    Tina Hylton-Kong & Clive Anderson

Authors
  1. Maria F. Gallo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jennifer Legardy-Williams
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Markus J. Steiner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Maurizio Macaluso
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Marion Carter
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Marcia M. Hobbs
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Tina Hylton-Kong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Clive Anderson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Elizabeth Costenbader
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Lee Warner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Maria F. Gallo.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors have no conflicts of interests.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Gallo, M.F., Legardy-Williams, J., Steiner, M.J. et al. Sexual Relationship Power and Semen Exposure Among Female Patients at a Sexually Transmitted Infection Clinic in Kingston, Jamaica. Arch Sex Behav 46, 2157–2164 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-016-0771-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-016-0771-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation