West J Emerg Med. 2011 Jul;12(3):333-42.
Rape victimization and high risk sexual behaviors: longitudinal study of african-american adolescent females.
The western journal of emergency medicine
Delia L Lang, Jessica M Sales, Laura F Salazar, James W Hardin, Ralph J Diclemente, Gina M Wingood, Eve Rose
Affiliations
Affiliations
- Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Atlanta, GA.
PMID: 21731791
PMCID: PMC3117610
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: African-American women are affected by disproportionately high rates of violence and sexually transmitted infections (STI)/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. It is imperative to address the intersection of these two urgent public health issues, particularly as these affect African-American adolescent girls. This study assessed the prevalence of rape victimization (RV) among a sample of African-American adolescent females and examined the extent to which participants with a history of RV engage in STI/HIV associated risk behaviors over a 12-month time period.
METHODS: Three hundred sixty-seven African-American adolescent females ages 15-21, seeking sexual health services at three local teenager-oriented community health agencies in an urban area of the Southeastern United States, participated in this study. Participants were asked to complete an audio computer-assisted self-interview (ACASI) at baseline, 6- and 12-month follow-up. We assessed sociodemographics, history of RV and sexual practices. At baseline, participants indicating they had experienced forced sex were classified as having a history of RV.
RESULTS: Twenty-five percent of participants reported a history of RV at baseline. At 6- and 12-months, victims of RV had significantly lower proportions of condom-protected sex (p=.008), higher frequency of sex while intoxicated (p=.005), more inconsistent condom use (p=.008), less condom use at last sex (p=.017), and more sex partners (p=.0001) than non-RV victims. Over the 12-month follow-up period, of those who did not report RV at baseline, 9.5% reported that they too had experienced RV at some point during the 12-month time frame.
CONCLUSION: African-American adolescent females who experience RV are engaging in more risky sexual behaviors over time than non-RV girls, thereby placing themselves at higher risk for contracting STIs. In light of the results from this unique longitudinal study, we discuss considerations for policies and guidelines targeting healthcare, law enforcement and educational and community settings. The complexities of RV screening in healthcare settings are examined as is the need for tighter collaboration between healthcare providers and law enforcement. Finally, we consider the role of prevention and intervention programs in increasing awareness about RV as well as serving as an additional safe environment for screening and referral.
References
- Clin Psychol Rev. 2008 Jun;28(5):711-35 - PubMed
- Am J Prev Med. 2000 Nov;19(4):220-7 - PubMed
- Perspect Sex Reprod Health. 2002 Mar-Apr;34(2):62-7 - PubMed
- JAMA. 2001 Aug 1;286(5):572-9 - PubMed
- Child Abuse Negl. 1994 Mar;18(3):233-45 - PubMed
- Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1988;528:111-22 - PubMed
- Am J Public Health. 2007 Jan;97(1):125-32 - PubMed
- Int J Inj Contr Saf Promot. 2008 Dec;15(4):221-31 - PubMed
- J Womens Health. 1998 Apr;7(3):371-8 - PubMed
- Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1998 Jan;152(1):57-63 - PubMed
- Am J Public Health. 2006 Jun;96(6):1085-90 - PubMed
- Am J Public Health. 1991 May;81(5):572-5 - PubMed
- Womens Health Issues. 2004 May-Jun;14(3):75-84 - PubMed
- Am J Prev Med. 1997 Sep-Oct;13(5):380-4 - PubMed
- Sex Transm Dis. 1998 Mar;25(3):125-9 - PubMed
- Psychol Bull. 1990 Nov;108(3):339-62 - PubMed
- Violence Against Women. 1998 Apr;4(2):195-223 - PubMed
- Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1995 Dec;52(12):1048-60 - PubMed
- Public Health Rep. 1999 May-Jun;114(3):262-8 - PubMed
- Pediatrics. 1995 Nov;96(5 Pt 1):944-6 - PubMed
- Matern Child Health J. 2000 Jun;4(2):125-34 - PubMed
- J Womens Health. 1998 Feb;7(1):77-84 - PubMed
- Am J Public Health. 2002 Apr;92(4):660-5 - PubMed
- Sex Transm Dis. 1999 Jan;26(1):26-32 - PubMed
- J Interpers Violence. 2006 Apr;21(4):503-24 - PubMed
- JAMA. 2004 Jul 14;292(2):171-9 - PubMed
- N Engl J Med. 1989 Sep 7;321(10):685 - PubMed
- Fam Plann Perspect. 1992 Jan-Feb;24(1):4-11, 19 - PubMed
- Violence Against Women. 1998 Apr;4(2):180-94 - PubMed
- Child Abuse Negl. 2002 May;26(5):455-73 - PubMed
- Pediatrics. 2005 Aug;116(2):e272-6 - PubMed
- Am J Public Health. 1997 Jun;87(6):1016-8 - PubMed
- J Adolesc Health. 2000 Aug;27(2):102-11 - PubMed
- Am J Prev Med. 1996 Sep-Oct;12(5 Suppl):39-47 - PubMed
- J Adolesc Health. 1997 Nov;21(5):291-302 - PubMed
- Fam Plann Perspect. 1997 Sep-Oct;29(5):200-3, 227 - PubMed
- J Consult Clin Psychol. 1999 Apr;67(2):252-9 - PubMed
- Sex Transm Dis. 2002 Sep;29(9):503-9 - PubMed
- J Consult Clin Psychol. 1997 Oct;65(5):834-47 - PubMed
- JAMA. 1998 Aug 12;280(6):521-6 - PubMed
- Sex Transm Dis. 2005 Aug;32(8):513-5 - PubMed
- Psychol Rep. 1995 Oct;77(2):526 - PubMed
- Violence Against Women. 2009 Mar;15(3):258-75 - PubMed
- Violence Vict. 1998 Winter;13(4):377-93 - PubMed
- Child Abuse Negl. 1992;16(1):101-18 - PubMed
- Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2008 May;162(5):432-8 - PubMed
- Soc Sci Med. 2000 Feb;50(4):459-78 - PubMed
- Fam Plann Perspect. 1997 Sep-Oct;29(5):204-11 - PubMed
- Child Abuse Negl. 1997 Aug;21(8):789-803 - PubMed
- J Consult Clin Psychol. 2006 Aug;74(4):720-31 - PubMed
- Pediatrics. 1998 Apr;101(4 Pt 1):620-4 - PubMed
- Behav Med. 1997 Summer;23(2):65-78 - PubMed
- Am J Prev Med. 1996 Sep-Oct;12(5):304-10 - PubMed
Publication Types