Citation

Gwandure C. AIDS Care 2007; 19(10): 1313-1315.

Affiliation

Department of psychology, Wits University, Johannesburg, Randburg, South Africa.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/09540120701426508

PMID

18071978

Abstract

This study examined the hypothesis that sexual assault in childhood is a risk factor in HIV and AIDS prevention and control in adulthood. It comprised 40 participants who were survivors of child sexual abuse and 40 participants who were not sexually abused. The sample had 20 sexually abused men, 20 non sexually abused men, 20 sexually abused women and 20 non sexually abused women. The group that had men and women who had a history of sexual assault reported higher HIV and AIDS risk behaviours than the non-abused comparison group. The survivors of sexual assault also had higher levels of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, suicide ideation and external locus of control. They reported low self-esteem. This unhealthy psychological functioning was found to be a risk factor in HIV and AIDS prevention and control. Implications for future research are discussed.

Language: en