Physical and sexual abuse among homeless and unstably housed adults living with HIV: prevalence and associated risks.
We examined the prevalence and risks associated with interpersonal (physical and sexual) abuse among HIV-seropositive homeless or unstably housed adults. Data were obtained from the Housing and Health Study of participants living in Baltimore, Chicago, and Los Angeles (n = 644). We used logistic regression to identify risks associated with abuse. About 77% of men and 86% of women reported ever experiencing abuse. Women were at greater risk than men for intimate partner physical abuse, childhood sexual abuse (CSA), and adulthood sexual abuse. Men and women experiencing intimate partner physical abuse reported increased risk of unprotected sex. Other risks associated with abuse include sex exchange; lifetime alcohol abuse; and depressive symptoms. Abuse prevalence among sample exceeds those found in other samples of general USA, HIV-seropositive, and homeless populations. Identifying persons at risk of abuse is needed to reduce risk among homeless or unstably housed persons living with HIV.
Henny
Kirk D
KD
National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, NE MS E-37, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. khenny@cdc.gov
Kidder
Daniel P
DP
Stall
Ron
R
Wolitski
Richard J
RJ
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D014505:Urban Population; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*