An examination of risky sexual behavior and HIV in victims of child abuse and neglect: a 30-year follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
This article examined links between childhood maltreatment and risky sexual behavior (early sexual contact, promiscuity, prostitution) and HIV in adulthood.


METHODS
Using a prospective cohort design, physically and sexually abused and neglected children (ages 0-11) with documented cases during 1967-1971 were matched with nonmaltreated children and followed into adulthood.


METHODS
Early sexual contact, promiscuity, and prostitution were assessed through in-person interviews and official records (prostitution) at approximate age 29 (N=1196). HIV tests were conducted at approximate age 41 (N=631).


RESULTS
Child maltreatment was associated with prostitution (OR=2.47, 95% CI=1.35-4.50) and early sexual contact (OR=1.73, 95% CI=1.24-2.40). Prevalence of HIV in the abuse/neglect group was twice that in controls (OR=2.35, 95% CI=.64-8.62), although this difference did not reach conventional levels of statistical significance. SEM provided significant support for a model linking child abuse and neglect to prostitution through early sexual contact and a marginal link to HIV through prostitution.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings provide prospective evidence that maltreated children are more likely to report sexual contact before age 15, engage in prostitution by young adulthood, and test positive for HIV in middle adulthood.
Wilson
Helen W
HW
Department of Psychology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, New York, NY 10019, USA. hwilson@jjay.cuny.edu
Widom
Cathy Spatz
CS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D054523:Adult Survivors of Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011477:Sex Work / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data