title: History of sexual abuse among HIV-infected women.
abstract: The objective of this study is to describe the characteristics associated with a history of sexual abuse among HIV-infected women enrolled in a public inner-city HIV outpatient clinic. A retrospective chart review of 238 women of childbearing age enrolled in the HIV outpatient clinic between 1987 and 1995 was performed. Characteristics of the study population were 83% African American, 69% single, and 53% finished high school or were still in school. The mean age was 25.7 years. Of the 238 women, 32% had a history of sexual abuse. Factors associated with sexual abuse history after controlling for age included living in a non-permanent situation (OR=4.8), history of non-intravenous drug use (OR=4.65), and having dropped out of school (OR=2.2). HIV-infected women should be screened for a history of sexual abuse and carefully counselled regarding their reproductive choices and drug treatment.
authors.affiliation: Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Bedimo
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kissinger
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bessinger
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012742:Sex Offenses