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OSU prof's study links abuse, HIV
Study by Joseph Catania links certain behaviors to high rates of childhood sexual abuse
Gail Cole
Issue date: 1/7/09 Section: News
A recent study by an OSU professor determined that childhood sexual abuse causes many survivors to cope with the trauma in negative ways, such as engaging in drug use and risky sexual behavior.
This behavior contributes to the spread of HIV.
According to the Center for Disease Control, male-to-male sexual contact accounted for 16,001 out of the 36,190 estimated new cases of HIV/AIDS in the United States in 2006.
OSU public health professor Joseph Catania's study found that gay and bisexual men report high rates of childhood sexual abuse, contributing to the spread of HIV.
"The primary purpose was looking at the mediators in childhood sexual abuse and the risk behaviors that facilitate the transmission of HIV," Catania said.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a sexually transmitted illness that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), causing the immune system to weaken, according to WebMD.com.
There is currently no cure for AIDS.
The study found that 20 percent of the gay and bisexual male subjects reported experiencing sexual abuse. In addition, the study found that 80 percent of these survivors encountered more severe forms of abuse.
These statistics apply only to the United States, since cultural and social factors play a role in sexual abuse; for example, Catania said children being married at age 13 is normal in some cultures but is considered sexual abuse in ours.
Along with statistics, the study also found that childhood sexual assault survivors tend to follow two different reaction pathways after the initial abuse; many use drugs, alcohol and risky sexual behavior to cope, while many can be angry and have difficulty communicating in future relationships. Catania said these types of reactions can overlap in a survivors' lifetime.
In order to aid those infected with HIV/AIDS, the public health and psychology fields use interventions - similar to short-term therapy sessions - to help HIV/AIDS victims cope psychologically with the illness.
This behavior contributes to the spread of HIV.
According to the Center for Disease Control, male-to-male sexual contact accounted for 16,001 out of the 36,190 estimated new cases of HIV/AIDS in the United States in 2006.
OSU public health professor Joseph Catania's study found that gay and bisexual men report high rates of childhood sexual abuse, contributing to the spread of HIV.
"The primary purpose was looking at the mediators in childhood sexual abuse and the risk behaviors that facilitate the transmission of HIV," Catania said.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a sexually transmitted illness that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), causing the immune system to weaken, according to WebMD.com.
There is currently no cure for AIDS.
The study found that 20 percent of the gay and bisexual male subjects reported experiencing sexual abuse. In addition, the study found that 80 percent of these survivors encountered more severe forms of abuse.
These statistics apply only to the United States, since cultural and social factors play a role in sexual abuse; for example, Catania said children being married at age 13 is normal in some cultures but is considered sexual abuse in ours.
Along with statistics, the study also found that childhood sexual assault survivors tend to follow two different reaction pathways after the initial abuse; many use drugs, alcohol and risky sexual behavior to cope, while many can be angry and have difficulty communicating in future relationships. Catania said these types of reactions can overlap in a survivors' lifetime.
In order to aid those infected with HIV/AIDS, the public health and psychology fields use interventions - similar to short-term therapy sessions - to help HIV/AIDS victims cope psychologically with the illness.
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