Prevalence of Childhood Sexual Abuse and Physical Trauma in an HIV-Positive Sample From the Deep South

Abstract

We examined prevalence and predictors of trauma among HIV-infected persons in the Deep South using data from the Coping with HIV/AIDS in the Southeast (CHASE) study. Over 50% of CHASE participants were abused during their lives, with approximately 30% experiencing abuse before age 13, regardless of gender. Caregiver characteristics were associated with childhood abuse. Abuse is related to increases in high–HIV-risk activities. The findings help explain why people engage in such high-risk activities and can provide guidance in designing improved care and prevention messages.