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A recent study that childhood sexual abuse is associated with significantly increased frequencies of sexual behaviors among men who have sex with men (MSM). Dr. Seth Welles, an epidemiologist and professor at the Drexel University School of Public Health, led the study, which may help to shape future HIV prevention efforts. Moreover, the study also found that rates of sexual behaviors increased with increasing frequency of abuse during childhood, and that a history of childhood sexual abuse is highly prevalent among HIV-positive men who engage in risky sexual behavior with other men and appears to be more common among men of color. |
"Our findings provide compelling evidence for an association of childhood sexual abuse with frequencies of sexual behaviors," said Welles. "Based on increased number of sexual contacts, this would increase the risk of acquiring and transmitting sexual transmitted infections, including HIV."
The study, "History of Childhood Sexual Abuse and Unsafe Anal Intercourse in a 6-City Study of HIV-Positive Men Who Have Sex With Men," was first reported in the June 2009 edition of American Journal of Public Health.
According to the researchers, the next logical step might be to examine community-level programs aimed at reducing rates of childhood sexual abuse or mitigating the long-term effects of abuse in MSM. In addition, the authors of the report also suggested further study into the association of childhood sexual abuse history in HIV-positive MSM with transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, so that appropriate prevention and wellness models will be developed.
The researchers conducted a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from 593 HIV-positive men who have sex with men enrolled in Positive Connections, which was a weekend seminar at the University of Minnesota designed to encourage safer sex among HIV+ MSM. Participants were recruited from Seattle, WA; Washington, D.C.; Boston, MA; New York, NY; Los Angeles, CA; and Houston, TX.
The researchers warned that additional research on other groups of HIV-positive MSM outside of the six-city recruitment area is needed to better generalize the findings of the study.
Dr. Welles' co-authors include A. Cornelius Baker, Dr. Michael H. Miner, Dr. David J. Brennan, Scott Jacoby and Dr. B.R. Simon Rosser (Principal Investigator for Positive Connection). The study was funded by the Office on AIDS Research at the National Institute of Mental Health.