Relation of Childhood Sexual Abuse, Intimate Partner Violence, and Depression to Risk Factors for HIV Among Black Men Who Have Sex With Men in 6 US Cities

Am J Public Health. 2015 Dec;105(12):2473-81. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2015.302878. Epub 2015 Oct 15.

Abstract

Objectives: We assessed the relation of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), intimate partner violence (IPV), and depression to HIV sexual risk behaviors among Black men who have sex with men (MSM).

Methods: Participants were 1522 Black MSM recruited from 6 US cities between July 2009 and December 2011. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used.

Results: Participants reported sex before age 12 years with someone at least 5 years older (31.1%), unwanted sex when aged 12 to 16 years (30%), IPV (51.8%), and depression (43.8%). Experiencing CSA when aged 12 to 16 years was inversely associated with any receptive condomless anal sex with a male partner (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.50; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.29, 0.86). Pressured or forced sex was positively associated with any receptive anal sex (AOR = 2.24; 95% CI = 1.57, 3.20). Experiencing CSA when younger than 12 years, physical abuse, emotional abuse, having been stalked, and pressured or forced sex were positively associated with having more than 3 male partners in the past 6 months. Among HIV-positive MSM (n = 337), CSA between ages 12 and 16 years was positively associated with having more than 3 male partners in the past 6 months.

Conclusions: Rates of CSA, IPV, and depression were high, but associations with HIV sexual risk outcomes were modest.

Publication types

  • Research Support, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Adult Survivors of Child Abuse / statistics & numerical data*
  • Black or African American / psychology
  • Black or African American / statistics & numerical data*
  • Child
  • Child Abuse, Sexual / statistics & numerical data*
  • Depression / complications
  • Depression / epidemiology*
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology*
  • HIV Infections / etiology
  • Homosexuality, Male / psychology
  • Homosexuality, Male / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Intimate Partner Violence / statistics & numerical data*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Unsafe Sex / psychology
  • Unsafe Sex / statistics & numerical data*
  • Urban Population / statistics & numerical data
  • Young Adult