Domestic violence and childhood sexual abuse in HIV-infected women and women at risk for HIV

Am J Public Health. 2000 Apr;90(4):560-5. doi: 10.2105/ajph.90.4.560.

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and effect of domestic violence and childhood sexual abuse in women with HIV or at risk for HIV infection.

Methods: Participants with HIV or at risk for HIV infection enrolled in the Women's Interagency HIV Study. Childhood sexual abuse; all physical, sexual, and coercive violence by a partner; HIV serostatus; demographic data; and substance use and sexual habits were assessed.

Results: The lifetime prevalence of domestic violence was 66% and 67%, respectively, in 1288 women with HIV and 357 uninfected women. One quarter of the women reported recent abuse, and 31% of the HIV-seropositive women and 27% of the HIV-seronegative women reported childhood sexual abuse. Childhood sexual abuse was strongly associated with a lifetime history of domestic violence and high-risk behaviors, including using drugs, having more than 10 male sexual partners and having male partners at risk for HIV infection, and exchanging sex for drugs, money, or shelter.

Conclusions: Our data support the hypothesis of a continuum of risk, with early childhood abuse leading to later domestic violence, which may increase the risk of behaviors leading to HIV infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Child Abuse, Sexual / statistics & numerical data*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Domestic Violence / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology*
  • HIV-1*
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Prevalence
  • Prognosis
  • Risk Factors
  • Risk-Taking
  • United States / epidemiology