Examining Sexual Violence Victimization and High Risk Sexual Behaviors among African American Female Adolescents Over Time

Background: Retrospective adult studies indicate a robust association between history of sexual violence victimization (SVV) and engaging in risky sexual practices in adulthood. However, the extent to which this finding is present in female African-American adolescents, who have recently experienced SVV is not well known.

Methods: African-American female adolescents, 15-21 years, seeking sexual health services completed an ACASI interview at baseline (N =367), 6- and 12-month follow-up. Sociodemographics, history of SVV, and risky sexual practices were assessed. Participants indicating that they had experienced forced sex at baseline were classified as having a history of SVV.

Results: Ninety-two participants (25%) reported a history of SVV at baseline. At both 6- and 12-month follow-up, those with a history of SVV had significantly lower proportions of condom-protected sex in the past 60 days (p <.01), more sex partners in the past 60 days (p <. 05), less consistent condom use (p < .01), and engaged in more episodes of unprotected vaginal sex (p <.05) than those with no SVV. At the 12-month follow-up, the SVV group had significantly more episodes of sex while they and their partner were high or drunk (p<.05).

Conclusions: Adolescent girls who experience SVV are engaging in more risky sexual behaviors as they age than their non-SVV peers, thereby placing themselves at higher risk for contracting sexually transmitted infection, including HIV. Thus, it is critically important to identify and intervene with girls who have experienced SVV in an attempt to avoid a trajectory of sexual risk-taking.