Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #113655

Lisanne Brown, PhD, International Health and Development, Tulane University, 1440 Canal Street, Suite 2200, New Orleans, LA 70112, 5045841978, lisanne.brown@tulane.edu, Tonya R. Thurman, MPH, PhD student, Tulane School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine, 1440 Canal St, Office # 2253, New Orleans, LA 70112, Carl Kendall, PhD, Department of International Health and Development, Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, 1440 Canal Street, Suite 2200, New Orleans, LA 70112, and Jeanette Bloem, Sechaba Consultants, P.O. Box 0813, Maseru-West 105, Lesotho.

Background: Studies have demonstrated that women who experience sexual assault in childhood or adolescence are more likely to engage in behaviors that put them at risk for HIV, such as prostitution, sex with unfamiliar partners, and low rates of condom use. In Lesotho, where nearly a third of the population is infected with HIV, sexual violence hinders women's ability to protect themselves through abstinence, being faithful or condom use.

Methods: The qualitative component of the study, six focus group discussions and 21 in-depth interviews, was followed by a random household survey conducted in selected neighborhoods of two urban towns in Lesotho. A total of 1,049 women were interviewed.

Results: Women who reported sexual violence were more likely to have engaged in sexual risk-taking behavior (earlier age of first pregnancy and higher number of partners) as compared to women who did not report any sexual violence. Nearly 70% of the respondents that experienced any forced sex before the age of 18 were pregnant by the age of 18. However, there was no significant relationship between having experienced sexual violence and condom use.

Conclusions: Although general awareness of HIV is high, there are a number of gaps in knowledge that may be contributing to sexual violence. Specific beliefs, such as the ‘cleansing myth' and the idea that AIDS does not exist, need to be addressed. Men of all ages need to be involved in programs aimed at preventing violent behavior through school life-skills programs, community theatre, media campaigns, and particularly men's groups.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to articulate the link between sexual violence and the risk of HIV infection

Keywords: HIV Risk Behavior, Sexual Assault

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation