Online Program

279263
CSA & IPV among ethnically diverse college students: Development of an HIV & IPV prevention intervention


Monday, November 4, 2013

Liesl Nydegger, PhD, MPH, School of Community & Global Health, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA
Lyzette Blanco, PhD, MPH, School of Community and Global Health, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA
Background: Rates of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and intimate partner violence (IPV) are surprisingly high, with 33% of women and 16% of men reporting experiences of CSA, and almost 50% of women and 8% of men being victims of IPV. Purpose: This study sought to examine support systems, HIV prevention, and feasibility of an online HIV/IPV intervention among survivors of CSA or IPV. Methods: Recruitment is still occurring to date; participants are recruited from an ethnically diverse undergraduate college in Southern California. Of eligible participants (n=72), mean age was 21.4 (82% female). Students having experienced CSA and/or IPV completed a comprehensive online assessment collecting information concerning CSA and IPV history and provided input regarding a proposed HIV and IPV prevention intervention. Results: Among those who experienced CSA, the average age of onset of abuse was 12.6 with abuse occurring by a friend or acquaintance (62%), relative (25%), or stranger (2%). In the past year, participants experienced: psychological aggression (45%), physical assault (21%), injuries (13%), and sexual coercion (16%). Of participants who have experienced abuse, 88% never received counseling or mental health treatment, 11% were treated previously, and only 1% was currently receiving treatment. Suggestions for the proposed intervention included, more time for session completion and visual replacement for text. Preventative skills and information presented were positively received. Conclusion: Present research can inform innovative and essential HIV and IPV research; this in turn can reduce comorbidity of adverse health behaviors associated with CSA and IPV (e.g., substance abuse, unsafe sexual practices).

Learning Areas:

Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs

Learning Objectives:
Identify key components to be included in future HIV and intimate partner violence prevention interventions. Describe the need to prevent HIV and intimate partner violence among childhood sexual abuse and intimate partner violence survivors. Identify the mental health and support system needs of childhood sexual abuse and intimate partner violence survivors.

Keyword(s): Violence Prevention, HIV Interventions

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the co-principal investigator on several small grants regarding HIV prevention, drug use, intimate partner violence, and childhood sexual abuse. Further, I have developed previous HIV prevention interventions for high-risk populations.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.