Gender differences in the association between childhood sexual abuse and risk behaviors among people living with HIV in Haiti

ABSTRACT

Research shows that in the Caribbean one-third of people living with HIV continue to engage in unprotected sexual practices. Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and HIV-related risk behaviors have been found to play a contributory role in HIV transmission. We aimed to analyze gender differences in the association between CSA and substance use and sexual risk behaviors among Haitians living with HIV. A total of 276 HIV-positive individuals participated in this study with 56% experiencing sexual abuse during childhood. Results showed that participants who experienced CSA had increased odds of hazardous drinking compared to those who did not experience CSA; men (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.2–7.3) and women (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.2–5.6). While, marijuana use was only significantly associated in women (OR 5.2, 95% CI 2.1–13.5). For sexual risk behaviors, unprotected sex was significantly associated in both men (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.3–7.1) and women (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.5–7.7) who experienced CSA. Results of this study underscore the need for further research to better understand the role of gender in the relationship between CSA and risky behaviors among PLWH.

KEYWORDS:

• HIV
• childhood sexual abuse
• sexual trauma
• alcohol abuse
• sexual risk behaviors

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities: [Grant Number U54MD012393-01]; National Institute of alcohol and alcoholism: [Grant Number R01 AA018084].