The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #56932

Kimberly Jacob Arriola, MPH, PhD, Behavioral Sciences & Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health of Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road, NE, Room 510, Atlanta, GA 30322, (404) 727-2600, kjacoba@sph.emory.edu, Tracy Louden, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322, and Michelle Annmarie Doldren, MPH, CHES, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Rd, NE, Rm.512, Atlanta, GA 30322.

Empirical research suggests that early experiences of sexual abuse tend to be associated with subsequent sexual risk taking among women (e.g., Cohen et al., 2000; Wyatt et al., 2002). However, the strength of the relationship varies greatly across different samples of women, and the extent to which the strength and direction of the relationship is influenced by study-level factors (e.g., the definition of child sexual abuse, study design, sample size) is unclear. Thus, the current study sought to conduct a meta-analysis of this literature to assess the relationship between child sexual abuse (CSA) and each of four HIV risk behaviors among women: unprotected sex; sex with multiple partners; sex for money, drugs, or shelter; and adult sexual revictimization.

Meta-analysis is an analytical technique of quantitatively summarizing empirical research studies. Among other criteria, studies were included in the meta-analysis if they reported empirical findings on the relationship between CSA and at least one of the four dependent variables described above, data on a comparison group of individuals who were not known to have experienced CSA, and findings specific to adult women. The three search procedures that are commonly used to identify studies for meta-analysis were utilized (i.e., computer searches, manual searches of relevant journals, and review of the reference list of all relevant articles). Thirty-seven studies were identified and are currently being coded. The presentation will highlight the overall strength and direction of the relationship between CSA and HIV risk behavior and identify study-level moderator variables.

Learning Objectives:

• Assess the literature that tests the relationship between child sex abuse and HIV risk behavior among women.
• Describe the use of meta-analysis as a tool for synthesizing quantitative research studies in the area of HIV/AIDS.
• Identify the size of the effect of the relationship between child sex abuse and HIV risk behavior among women across multiple research studies. Additionally, the participant will be able to identify study-level variables that moderate this relationship.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.