Relationship between trauma and high-risk behavior among HIV-positive men who do not have sex with men (MDSM)

Abstract

The incidence of heterosexual HIV transmission continues to increase in the USA. However, little is known about factors that influence high-risk behavior among men who do not have sex with men (MDSM). This study examines the association of childhood sexual abuse and high-risk behaviors among MDSM. The Coping with HIV/AIDS in the Southeast (CHASE) study included 611 HIV-positive individuals in the Southeastern US Bivariate statistics were used to examine the influence of childhood sexual abuse among MDSM, men who have sex with men (MSM), and women. Study findings indicated that among MDSM with HIV, childhood sexual abuse predicted a higher number of sexual partners, alcohol and drug use problems, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and less trust in medical providers. Similar statistically significant relationships between childhood sexual abuse and negative outcomes were not found for MSM and women with the exception of childhood sexual abuse predicting PTSD and alcohol use in women. Study findings indicate a need for more in-depth research to examine the role of childhood sexual abuse in shaping adult risk behaviors among MDSM as well as a need to assess for and address childhood sexual abuse in this population.

Keywords:

• HIV
• childhood trauma
• trauma
• risk behavior
• heterosexual

Acknowledgements

This study was supported in part by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), and the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), grant no. 5R01MH061687-05 of the National Institutes of Health.