Sexual behavior and sexually transmitted diseases among the female partners of inmates.

The design was cross-sectional, so reported behaviors and STD were measured at the same time and cannot establish which came first. STD status was self-reported as physician-diagnosed, not confirmed by testing or records. Participants were women visiting three penitentiaries in Paraná, Brazil, and the sample was drawn from a convenience setting, so results may not apply to other populations. Intoxicated women and women who were not partners were excluded, so the study may miss people with substance use at the time of visit or other family members who also visit. The adjusted model included only variables meeting a p <= 0.20 screening criterion, and several unadjusted associations did not remain linked after adjustment.

Do not read the odds ratios as proof that these behaviors caused STD. This was a cross-sectional survey with self-reported STD, and after adjustment only sexual violence and receiving money for sex remained linked to reported STD.