IS SEXUAL ABUSE IN CHILDHOOD OR ADOLESCENCE A PREDISPOSING FACTOR FORHIV-INFECTION DURING ADOLESCENCE

This exploratory study was conducted to determine whether sexual abuse might be a risk factor or marker for other risk factors for Human Imm unodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. Twenty-five HIV-positive adolesce nts were assessed for a variety of possible risk factors for HIV infec tion, including prior history of sexual abuse. Fifteen (60%) had a his tory of sexual abuse. A history of sexual abuse may be a risk factor f or HIV infection directly, or it may be associated with or predispose one to other risk factors. The latter mechanism may be related to the long-term negative outcomes of some individuals with a history of sexu al abuse. These may include same-sex sexual experiences as an adolesce nt, revictimization with additional episodes of abuse, multiple consen sual sexual partners, and drug and\or alcohol abuse. Preventive interv entions aimed at reducing the risk of HIV infection must take a histor y of sexual abuse into account. Patients with such a history deserve i ntensive psychological counseling to help prevent adverse behavioral o utcomes that can result in HIV infection.