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

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and e ffect 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, sexua l. 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%, resp ectively, in 1288 women with HIV and 357 uninfected women. One quarter of t he women reported recent abuse, and 31% of the HIV-seropositive women and 2 7% of the HIV-seronegative women reported childhood sexual abuse. Childhood sexual abuse was strongly associated with a lifetime history of domestic v iolence and high-risk behaviors, including using drugs, having more than 10 male sexual partners and having male partners at risk for HIV infection an d exchanging sex for drugs, money, or shelter. Conclusions, Our data support the hypothesis of a continuum of risk, with e arly childhood abuse leading to later domestic violence. which may increase the risk of behaviors leading to HIV infection.