Objective:

To explore the prevalence of sexual victimization suffered in childhood or by a partner in adulthood, and the association of both variables with a history of gynecological proliferative lesions (breast dysplasia, cervical dysplasia, breast cancer, and cervical cancer) in a sample of women from Córdoba, Argentina.

Methodology:

115 women over 18 years of age were surveyed in 14 cities in the province of Córdoba during 2017 and 2018. Their sociodemographic and health data, history of gynecological proliferative lesions, sexual victimization in childhood or by a partner in adulthood were assessed. Bivariate and binary logistic regression analyses were performed to calculate associations between variables.

Results:

40.8 % of the participants reported a history of proliferative lesions. About 30 % of the total sample indicated having suffered at least one experience of sexual victimization during their lifetime. Being forced to have unprotected sexual intercourse by a partner was significantly more frequent in women with a history of gynecological proliferative lesions (12.8 %; OR = 9.80, 95 % CI: 1.14-84.38). Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) were the best predictor of a history of gynecological proliferative lesions (OR = 26.52, 95 % CI: 5.15-136.65), followed by partner-caused sexual violence in adulthood (OR = 13.84, 95 % CI: 1.29-148.78).

Conclusion:

The association between STIs and gynecologic proliferative lesions could be influenced by behaviors such as partner-caused sexual violence. The results highlight the need to identify potential social determinants of women's sexual and reproductive health in Argentina and the region.

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